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PARA-CLIFFHANGERS INC

ALBANY, NY · EIN 852159976 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE N99 · Recreation & Sports · Small ($100K-$1M) · paracliffhangers.org
revenue
$157K
expenses
$169K
net assets
$92K
employees
mission · from form 990

FOSTER COMMUNITY, STRENGTH, ADVENTURE, INCLUSION, AND EQUALITY THROUGH ROCK CLIMBING. WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO OVERCOME MOUNTAINS.

profile · synthesized from sources

ParaCliffHangers Inc. is a nonprofit organization fostering community, strength, and inclusion through adaptive rock climbing for people with disabilities. The organization runs local chapters, indoor and outdoor meetups, and supports paraclimbers in national competitions. Operating nationally with roots in New York and California, it promotes accessibility and empowerment in the climbing world.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Competitive ParaClimbing Support
Supports athletes competing in USAC ParaNationals, including training, travel, and event participation across multiple classifications
Local Chapter Meetups
Regular indoor and outdoor climbing meetups organized through local chapters to build community and accessibility for paraclimbers
Outdoor Adventure Trips
Organized outdoor climbing excursions that provide safe, inclusive access to nature and community connection, especially during periods like the pandemic
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Adaptive Sports Programs 2 activities
    • Organized pandemic-era outdoor trips for paraclimbers
      Provided safe outdoor climbing opportunities during the pandemic to support physical activity and social connection among paraclimbers.
    • Provides adaptive rock climbing programs and events for people with disabilities
      Offers indoor and outdoor climbing activities, including events and competitions, designed to promote community, strength, adventure, inclusion, and equality for people with disabilities. Programs include rigorous training for competitive paraclimbers and support for national competition participation.
  • Specialized Summer Camps for Disabilities 1 activity
    • Requires participant agreements for climbing activities
      Mandates completion of an online participant agreement prior to participation in climbing activities to ensure safety and informed consent.
  • Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
    • Supports expansion of local paraclimbing communities through a chapter-based model
      Operates a national nonprofit structure with chapters in the Northeast and California, fostering local meetups and outreach to grow inclusive paraclimbing communities.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$157K
Contributions & grants$131K83%
Program service revenue
Investment income
Other revenue$954
expenses
Total expenses$169K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$80K
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$92K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$92K
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +37.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DENISE STYPULKOWSKI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 37 $44K
BENJAMIN MAYFORTH DIRECTOR 1 $2K
board members · 6
  • ELLIOTT NGUYEN — DIRECTOR
  • ERIC RATKOWSKI — DIRECTOR
  • ERIKA WILLIAMS — DIRECTOR
  • GENE GOUDY — DIRECTOR
  • JOSHUA UNTERMAN — DIRECTOR
  • KYLE LONG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 4

Who they work with

  • Movement LIC Partner — Collaborated with the climbing gym to form the first accessible rock climbing chapter.
  • USAC Nationals Partner — Participates in and supports athletes competing at the USAC Nationals.
  • info@paracliffhangers.org Partner — Primary contact email used for communication, donation inquiries, and opt-out requests for text messages.
  • local gyms Partner — Collaborates with local climbing gyms to host meet-ups and expand access for paraclimbers.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Adaptive Sports as Social Inclusion
    methodology: adaptive-sports-inclusion
    By using rock climbing as a shared physical and social activity, we build inclusive communities and shift perceptions of disability, because participation on equal terms fosters dignity, belonging, and mutual respect among participants with and without disabilities.
  • Decentralized Community Empowerment
    methodology: decentralized leadership development
    By training local leaders to run paraclimbing programs, we create self-sustaining communities, because locally rooted leadership increases accessibility, ownership, and long-term engagement in diverse regions.
  • Equitable Participation Through Structured Inclusion
    methodology: inclusive classification system
    By designing inclusive classification systems for competition, we ensure equitable access and recognition across disability types and ages, because fair structure validates diverse abilities and strengthens community cohesion.