Why Donate

 Since 1955, McCrossan Boys Ranch has stood as a place of hope, healing, and new beginnings. What started as a simple vision—to give boys a second chance—has grown into a community where hundreds of young men have discovered their potential, rewritten their stories, and found a brighter future.

For seven decades, this mission has been possible because of the unwavering support of friends like you. Together, we’ve provided safe housing, life-changing mentorship, animal therapy, vocational training, education through McCrossan High School, and countless recreational opportunities that give boys the chance to just be kids again.

As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, we honor every success story written here—and look forward to the many more to come. With your continued support, we can ensure McCrossan Boys Ranch remains a place of second chances, growth, and opportunity for generations of boys yet to arrive.

 At McCrossan Boys Ranch, every boy who walks through our doors is more than a statistic—they are a life full of potential, deserving of a second chance. Your support helps us provide the tools, guidance, and opportunities that change the trajectory of their futures.

Hear it from the boys themselves:

• "The ranch taught me everything. From anger to peer pressure… It can also teach others awesome problem solving skills - like what to do if you are handling a bully. For over the 2 years 4 months I had been there, it taught me to do good." — Matthew, Alumni
   
• "From the lessons and counseling I learned about how to treat others, the schooling that took me from a 5th or 6th grade level to a 2nd or 3rd year college level in only one school year… without them I firmly believe I would have gone to prison. The friends and staff treated you like family. Not a number in the system!" — Richie Miller, Alumni
   

Your donation helps us provide:

• A safe, 110-acre campus with 4 residential living units
   
• Over 70 dedicated teachers and staff, committed to year-round education
   
• Full-sized track & field, gym, weight room, and outdoor basketball courts
   
• Individualized academic support for 100% of boys
   
• Counseling, therapy, and equine therapy for every resident
   
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community
   

The impact is real:

• Over 5,000 boys served since opening
   
• 41% of boys face addiction challenges
   
• 25% are one or more years behind academically
   
• 50% have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect
   
• Every single boy receives hope, guidance, and a chance at a brighter future
   

Your gift is more than a donation—it’s a lifeline. When you give to McCrossan Boys Ranch, you invest in resilience, growth, and the power of a second chance.

At McCrossan Boys Ranch, there are many ways to change a life—and the different funds allow you to decide where your support matters most. Your gift can fund learning, fun, guidance, or everyday care, giving each boy the chance to grow, succeed, and find hope. 

These funds include:

• General Fund: This money is unrestricted and is used for operational expenses and program support. General funds are used to fund items most needed at the Ranch.
• Annual Fund: This money is for operational support only– it helps us maintain the campus and provide high quality programming at the Ranch. This is often known as the Believe. Hope. Change Campaign. It helps us meet our many needs such as – health, education, recreation, and counseling.
• Endowment Fund: These donations are restricted to help grow the Ranch’s endowment – money that is invested for the future of McCrossan Boys Ranch. The money is overseen by the McCrossan Foundation Board and provides annual support to the Ranch each year for program expenses, emergency support items and more.
• Chaplain Fund: This fund supports the Chaplain program at McCrossan Boys Ranch. The Ranch employs one part-time chaplain from this fund. It also helps provide funding for religious activities, movies, books and more. On occasion it is used to help with our Sunday evening worship services.
• Sponsor A Child Fund: This fund provides support for boys who need help and are not in the system and have no funding – so no boy in need of help is turned away. It helps cover the cost of his stay at McCrossan Boys Ranch.
• Memorials: These are donations made in memory or honor of someone special. The Ranch sends cards notifying the families that a donation has been make in their memory/honor. Funds from memorials are unrestricted and are used as best determined.
• Recreational Activities: The Ranch tries to fund many recreational trips for the boys each year. The boys get to go on trips to the Black Hills, Valley Fair, the Omaha Zoo, and much more. This fund also helps provide recreational supplies like sporting equipment, new board games and many other recreational items.
• Hitch Fund: This fund supports our horse equine therapy and hitch programs. It helps cover livestock expenses for trips, 4-H and much more.
• Christmas: Our Christmas fund helps make the holidays a special time at the Ranch. Money from this fund is used for holiday activities, Christmas presents, a special dinner for the boys and much more.
• Scholarship Fund: The McCrossan Scholarship fund helps current and ranch alumni to pursue options of higher education. This fund helps our youth to attend colleges, universities, vocational schools, and more. It can be used for tuition, books or other needed supplies for coursework.      
• Capital Campaign Fund: The fund supports current building projects at McCrossan Boys Ranch. Our upcoming campaign is for an addition onto the McCrossan School and a new Track/Field area at McCrossan's. For more information on this special project contact the Development Office at (605) 339-1203. 

McCrossan Boys Ranch is a Sioux Falls nonprofit 501 (c) 3 charity organization specializing in the mentoring, counseling and teaching of boys and young men. Your gifts may be tax deductible.