HCYR Foundation

Hill Country Youth Ranch Foundation

"The Hill Country Youth Ranch endowment is the key to securing a future for the many children who need, and will continue to need, a chance to live in a safe and secure home environment." -- Gary Priour, Director

As more and more children are referred to us who have no financial backing, or who stay with us longer than their state or private support system can pay for, it is increasingly obvious that the key to caring for abandoned and abused children in the future will lie in creating an endowment that can provide ample support through income earned on principal, allowing childcare workers to pay full attention to their real task, and sparing children an unneeded worry about their futures. To date, since its founding 30 years ago, no child has had to leave Hill Country Youth Ranch because of financial reasons, but the challenge in this regard is growing larger as the state cuts back its funding for these children, and the number of children without any outside support at all continues to grow. Currently, there are 120 children at a time living with us.

The Hill Country Youth Ranch Foundation was established in 1978 for the purpose of one day supporting all the children in our care,. Through careful stewardship, the endowment has grown to over $10,000,000 in protected principal. To fully support the needs of the Youth Ranch family on its two campuses, this endowment would need to grow to at least $30,000,000. This is at the top of our development priorities and will remain so until the future of this program, and of the children who depend on it, is secured.

One of our donors has created a challenge grant, without a time limit. He will match $1,000,000 whenever it is matched by other donations. To date, we have raised $255,000 toward that goal. Read more about this challenge gift, and also read an article by HCYR Board Member Brent Bates on how "Sharing Will Build the Future."

The HCYR Foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees who oversee the investment of funds with a goal of securing growth and income within conservative guidelines. Whenever possible, the Youth Ranch Board "tithes" from it's general donations and memorials program, to keep the fund growing. The largest part of the endowment has been created by generous individuals through bequests and wills drawn with the intention of making a lasting contribution that will continue forever to benefit children.