History

In 1995, David Krempels received a sizeable jury award in compensation for injuries caused by a car accident. He used some of the money to rebuild a comfortable life for himself. But he was haunted by the first-hand knowledge that most people with injuries and losses like his had to start over by themselves. He decided to invest in a new career – an organization to help these people.

Four close friends — John L. Ahlgren, Jim Fisher, Lisa Hanson and Effie Malley — helped him start the Krempels Brain Injury Foundation for People Living with Brain Injury.

First called the 2001 Emergency Fund, it was an advised fund under the management of the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation. Its mission was to help individuals and families who were in financial crisis because of a recent, severe traumatic brain injury. The Advisory Committee met monthly to review applications and dole out chunks of the initial $30,000 budget.

The organization evolved through a series of changes of name, focus and organizational structure. In 1998, it became a private foundation with its own 501(c)3 tax exempt classification. The budget had increased to about $120,000 and the first paid employee, Lisa Hanson, was hired.

Although the foundation continued to operate strictly as a grant-making agency, Lisa, a Social Worker, took an active role in the lives of the applicants. She was in frequent contact with them before, during and after the application process.

In the year 2000, the foundation board became intrigued by the concept of a “clubhouse”: a physical place where survivors could meet and spend time together. When a consultant hired by the board demonstrated the need and feasibility of such a program, the Board decided to start what has become SteppingStones.

To help meet the increased financial commitments, the board filed an application with the Internal Revenue Service for an advanced ruling as a publicly supported charity. In October 2000, SteppingStones opened its doors. The advanced ruling from the IRS came a month later.

In 2004, the organization changed its name to The Krempels Brain Injury Foundation. That’s where the organization is today. SteppingStones has grown significantly in size and quality. The Family Support Program has been re-focused and re-energized. And the foundation is broadening its base of financial support to include: SteppingStones member fees; Medicaid and private insurance revenue; grants from other foundations and charitable organizations; gifts from individual donors in the community; and corporate sponsors.