Welcome to the fifth installment of the “Ranch Edition” of the Dude-Halloo! At the Dude Ranch Foundation, we deeply appreciate the diverse audiences who support the dude ranching industry, including ranchers, industry partners, and the general public. In this special “Ranch Edition, we address ranchers and industry partners directly, focusing on the issues that matter most to you as valued DRA members. We also highlight the numerous benefits that come with your support of the Foundation, tailored specifically for you, the dedicated and passionate Dude Rancher. Enjoy this edition!
The Dude Ranch Museum
Where Has the Summer Gone!?
We want to thank everyone who came to visit us at the Dude Ranch Museum this summer. We were very busy with families coming in to learn more about the Dude Ranch industry, its history, and Dude Ranch Vacations. We enjoyed visitors from all over the USA and abroad.
We have been busy archiving everything in the museum for the last couple of months and wanted to thank our volunteer, Colleen Chisman. She has been amazing. We have found some pretty unique memorabilia from days gone by, such as an article in the Bozeman Gazette highlighting the first meeting of the Dude Ranchers Association in 1926, a letter from President George W. Bush congratulating the DRA on its 76th anniversary (dated October 2001), and another letter from President Ronald Reagan (dated January 1989) in which he said:
I am delighted to offer my warmest greetings to everyone gathered in Cody, Wyoming for the 62nd annual meeting of the National Dude Ranchers’ Association.
The outstanding efforts that the members of your association have made in preserving the old west are in the tradition of Theodore Roosevelt and are what America is all about. Conserving our wildlife, parks, and forests is of great importance to me and all of Americans, and I am proud to commend you for a job well Done. Keep up the great work. ~ Ronald Reagan
Our Winter hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Wednesday, and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Friday. We are closed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. See you at the museum!
Thanks to You, WyoGives 2023 Was a Success!
The Dude Ranch Foundation was able to raise $12,155.00 on the 2023 WyoGives Day. Thanks to the Hughes Charitable Foundation Match program, an additional $6,710 was awarded to the foundation, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming Statewide Match program contributed $300. In total, the foundation was able to raise $19,165.00, which is a 7% increase from last year’s amount.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Dude Ranch Foundation was ranked 55th out of 326 non-profit organizations on the 2023 WyoGives Leaderboard, based on the amount of money raised.
The Dude Ranch Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to all our donors for their invaluable support. We couldn’t have achieved this without you!
SAVE THE DATE:
The 5th Annual WyoGives will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. It’s also National Wyoming Day, celebrated every year on July 10th to commemorate the day when Wyoming officially became the 44th state to join the union.
GivingTuesday 2023
Get ready to saddle up for a truly meaningful ride this GivingTuesday! We’re rallying support for the Dude Ranch Foundation and need your help!
Mark your calendar for November 28, 2023!
GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It aims to inspire people to give back to their communities and support charitable causes. It is a day to donate money, time, or resources to positively impact global issues. This movement promotes the idea that generosity and kindness can make the world a better place.
Help spread the words with these DRF GivingTuesday graphics! CLICK HERE!
DRF Board Meeting
The foundation will have its fall board meeting on October 12th. If you have anything you would like the foundation board of directors to discuss just give Colleen Hodson a call at 307-250-1981. She will be happy to get it on the agenda.
We Have a Winner!
Thank you, White Stallion Ranch, for donating a trip for the National Day of the Cowgirl Giveaway in partnership with the Dude Ranch Foundation and Durango Boots/Rocky Brands. Melissa, the winner, is THRILLED that she won and can’t wait to head to the ranch!
I’ve always dreamed of a dude ranch vacation and I’m so excited about the trip. It’s almost like I’m a little girl again and getting a pony for Christmas! Thank you so much! ~ Melissa
Durango® to Award One $30,000 Scholarship in Honor of ‘National Day of the Cowgirl’
Celebrate the National Day of the Cowgirl with us! Durango Boots, in partnership with the Dude Ranch Foundation, is thrilled to announce a special scholarship program in honor of this occasion. This $30,000 educational scholarship will be awarded to one outstanding female who embodies the true spirit of the American Cowgirl. The scholarship will further their education in the Western and agricultural industries!
If you know of a deserving female candidate who fits the bill, please encourage them to apply for this incredible opportunity. You can find all the details and application information at nationaldayofthecowgirl.com!
A New Social Page
The Dude Ranch Foundation premiered its LinkedIn page in late September.
View the page HERE.
Please accept our invitation to connect. With regular communications, we look forward to sharing the strategic work of the Foundation, insights we gain from our partners, and finding new opportunities to collaborate with you. The Dude Ranch Foundation LinkedIn page will be a place to connect with the Dude Ranch Foundation scholars who, during the last three decades, have advanced our industry.
We look forward to connecting with you and learning more about your activities and business.
Please Give through Bing
There are many ways to support the Dude Ranch Foundation. And Giving with Bing is one way to support that rewards everyone! Find great search results and help create great results for the Dude Ranch Foundation!
Give with Bing is a feature of Microsoft Rewards that enables you to support a cause you care about simply by searching on Bing. It starts by signing up for Microsoft Rewards, their loyalty program. After joining, points earned for Bing searches will be automatically donated to your selected cause.
Once you register at Give.bing.com, your search activity on Bing, at no expense to you, provides funding for the Dude Ranch Foundation.
Give with Bing is currently available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Alliance Partners
Thank you to the Alliance Partners that support the Dude Ranch Foundation mission.
