February 2020

Sky Ranch Foundation℠ is fast approaching our sixth decade of assisting in the rehabilitation of at-risk youth. With contributions received from the Beverage Alcohol Industry, the Foundation reflects upon the many organizations which we have, in some small way, helped to achieve that goal.  To-date, more than $3.6 million has been awarded. At our most recent board meeting held in July 2019, these fine organizations received grants.

For more than 30 years, SOS Children’s Villages of Illinois (sosillinois.org) has provided safe, stable, loving homes to foster children in an individual home under the care of a full-time, professional Foster Parent. SOS Children’s Villages International, the parent organization, began in Europe in 1945, providing aid to children orphaned or abandoned during World War II.  Now with 3 Villages in Illinois, the most recent being Roosevelt Square, one more step awaits completion—the Roosevelt Square Village Community Center. Of note, SOS Children’s Villages was just awarded a four-star rating by Charity Navigator, the highest rating given to nonprofits.

Established in 2003, the Urban Initiatives (urbaninitiatives.org) approach is to empower Chicago’s at-risk youth to become community leaders through academic success, healthy living, and social-emotional learning by heightening the inherent power of sports and teamwork. Grants from Sky Ranch Foundation are directed to their Take the Lead program, now counting 200 youth in 40 schools, a 60% increase since the program began in 2014.

Peggy Donovan, Foundation Vice President, notes, “Both of these organizations have excelled beyond our expectations. Impressively, in just a few short years, each has substantially grown in the number of at-risk youth served in the greater Chicago area.  We congratulate them and thank them for their service to this community. ”

Organizations wishing to receive a grant can link below to view the Foundation Guidelines: http://skyranchfoundation.org/grants/funding-guidelines/

For almost 6 decades the Sky Ranch Foundation’s SKY RANCH FOR BOYS® has been assisting young people rehabilitate their lives for the better. If you would like to join us in assisting in the rehabilitation of young people, please click on the contact page of our website skyranchfoundation.org for details.

The full list of beverage alcohol industry companies who support the Foundation can be accessed via a link on our Support page, SKYRANCHFOUNDATION.org/support, which also offers a link for donations. If you made a donation and do not see your company listed here, please contact doribryant501@gmail.com (note new email address).

Special thanks to Mark Brown’s Industry Newsletter and the following media outlets for their constant support: ABL-USA, BEVX.com and MODERN DISTILLERY AGE

George McCarthy, Chairman

Ralph Aguera, President

About Sky Ranch Foundation℠ and Sky Ranch For Boys®

Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded $3.6 million in grants to organizations providing support for at-risk youth. Formed in 1961 and building on more than 59 years of tradition, Sky Ranch Foundation℠ is a tax-exempt charitable organization committed to identifying and offering grants to efficient and effective programs focused on improving the quality of help available to these youth. If you involved with or know of any organization that would fit our commitment we encourage you to visit our web site www.skyranchfoundation.org and apply for a grant.

Sky Ranch Foundation℠ is governed by a board of directors comprised mainly of active and retired members of the beverage alcohol industry. The Foundation’s funds have come largely from individuals and companies associated with the beer, wine and spirits industries and reflects the industry’s great concern and commitment for at-risk youth. www.skyranchfoundation.org