If you haven’t donated to Spring Lake Ranch, you may wonder what exactly donations do here. They are critical to ensuring residents can come to Spring Lake Ranch and access our unique and effective brand of mental health care.
There are three main buckets for donation dollars: annual fundraising, wish lists (and special projects), and capital expenses. Each of these contributes directly to the resident experience.
Annual Fundraising – Each year, we set a goal for annual fundraising. That goal is determined in large part by how much financial aid we plan to give residents. The majority of annual gifts go to resident financial aid, with the rest being used for program support. For each of the past five years, we have given about half a million dollars in financial aid to our residents. Because we cannot accept insurance, financial aid allows us to welcome residents who thrive at the Ranch but would not otherwise be able to afford this type of long-term residential treatment. One-in-three residents receives financial aid, and the average package covers 40% of cost (but can cover as much as 80-90%, dependent on resident need). We have set a goal to double our financial aid over the next five years, which means raising our annual fundraising goal each year. This year, our goal was to raise $915,000 by June 30, 2025. We are currently projected to fall about $100,000 short of that goal without your help.
Wish Lists and Special Projects – The core of our treatment philosophy is our Therapeutic Work Program, which combines clinical support with daily participation in one of four work crews: Farm, Gardens, Shop, and Woods. Each year, budgets must be approved in advance. Our crew managers do their best to plan, but sometimes unique opportunities arise that require additional cost. Same goes for Facilities, the Kitchen, and our recreational program (responsible for Ranchy fun and the off-site outdoor trips our residents love). We publish a Wish List each year where donors can sponsor all or part of the cost of specific items. Special projects include things like Ramp It Up!, our annual 5k fundraiser for a community organization.
Capital Expenses – Capital expenses are the regular costs of maintaining our physical campus. Last year, we launched a Capital Campaign, building to meet the need for expanded programming and necessary updates to aging infrastructure. We’ve set out to raise $18,000,000 over three years (we’re halfway through the campaign and only need $3.4 million to hit our goal!) To learn more about the exciting projects those donations will fund, visit springlakeranch.org/capitalcampaign.
We’ve been in operation since 1932, and a nonprofit organization for almost as long, since 1958. This allows us to accept charitable donations and make Spring Lake Ranch possible for more people. For nearly one hundred years, thousands of people have come to the Ranch to experience the healing power of meaningful work, nature, and community. A gift to Spring Lake Ranch will make the next one hundred years possible and truly change the lives of our residents and their loved ones. Will you make a gift today?
