Jim’s Projects
1789 and Launch Chapel Hill
As an entrepreneur, Jim has long had a passion for teaching young people how to start and run businesses and reach for their dreams. In 2009, Jim began teaching entrepreneurship to undergraduate students at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. After opening his office on Franklin Street to his students so they could work on their business… Read More
Make a Wish Foundation
Jim Kitchen is a board member of the Make A Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina and has been an active fundraiser and Wish granter. Some of the proudest and most fulfilling moments of his life have been granting the Wishes of children across eastern North Carolina. Katherine | Brandon | Krista | Nathan |… Read More
Public School Foundation
For the last four years, I have served on the board of the Public School Foundation, an organization that raises funds for innovative programs to support students and teachers in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. The Foundation’s annual Walk for Education is an important fundraiser for our local public schools. This past year, we were able… Read More
Community Empowerment
CEF was one of the first Ventures in my offices at the Franklin Innovation Center on Franklin Street which was the precursor to Launch Chapel Hill. They have done,and are still doing, incredible things to serve the most vulnerable citizens in our community. They served roughly 1,000 people last year – I’m so proud of… Read More
Kramden Institute
Location: Rashkis Elementary library, Chapel Hill Sponsored by: Kramden Institute On June 3rd, 10 elementary school students attending Rashkis Elementary in Chapel Hill were provided with Dell Computers and flat screen monitors by the Kramden Institute. The children, known as “Kramden Scholars” are students who have worked hard in school yet do not have the… Read More
Costa Rica
In 2008, I had an opportunity to help build eco-rooms at a community cooperative in Bijagua, a small rural village in the Northwestern part of Costa Rica. In Bijagua, it’s not unusual to see men on horseback herding cattle or plowing farms with oxen. There aren’t many “gringos” in this area – so I stuck… Read More
100 Mile Ultramarathons
“At some point during this race many of you will experience adversity; know that when you fight through those times and overcome, it will mold your character just as iron forges iron, and you will emerge with battle-tested armor.” – Race Director, Umstead 100 Ultramarathon After finishing 12 marathons in 12 months, I looked for… Read More