May Updates
Recently, our team visited the ranch to witness the progress firsthand. While most days are spent advancing this mission from our headquarters in Belgrade, standing inside the Great Room brought the vision into focus in a way blueprints and progress reports never could.
As we looked across the space, we could already picture what lies ahead: the first Special Operations recipients arriving next December, a fire burning in the hearth, families gathered together, and warriors stepping away from the demands of service into a place intentionally built for restoration.
We stood on the private balconies outside each recipient suite, spaces designed for quiet reflection at the beginning and end of each day. For the first time, we were able to stand where future recipients will soon stand, taking in the same views and experiencing the same sense of peace.
As we begin our summer season with 16 Task Forces (active duty & spouse), 16 Family Task Forces, and 12 Alumni Programs, we are grateful to share that our commitment to them does not end when their week in Montana concludes. The Big Sky Bravery Ranch represents the next chapter of that promise: a permanent place of belonging, restoration, and connection that they and their families can return to for years to come.
Construction continues to advance across the ranch, with significant progress underway on every major structure. At the Lodge, crews are continuing covered patio framing, completing the flat roof framing and underlayment, advancing plumbing and HVAC rough-ins, and preparing to pour the covered patio slab. Work at the Caretakers Cabin includes interior punch framing, ongoing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins, and cold roof framing. At the Rec Barn, insulation is being completed, while roof trusses continue to be set on the Alumni Cabin. At the Family Cabin, crews are finishing footers and continuing wall formwork in preparation for the next phase of construction.
In the weeks ahead, work will continue to build momentum across the property. The Lodge will see continued progress on the covered patio, plumbing and HVAC systems, and the start of blow-in insulation. At The Caretakers Cabin, crews will complete the cold roof and MEP rough-ins before beginning work on the fire suppression and audiovisual systems. The Rec Barn will move into drywall installation and patio slab preparation, while The Alumni Cabin will receive its roof underlayment after truss installation is complete. At The Family Cabin, wall pours are scheduled to begin, marking another major milestone in bringing the ranch to life.
FUNDING UPDATE
Executed: executed gift agreements // Pending: gift agreements pending signature // Remaining: remaining to raise
PROGRESS PHOTOS
AVAILABLE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
The future of this sanctuary depends on those willing to rise to the call and help build a legacy that will outlast us all. Your involvement ensures that every Special Operations warrior, spouse, and family member who walks through these doors finds healing, belonging, and the reminder that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. For additional information, please reach out to Crystal Kramer at crystal@bigskybravery.org.
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The Rec Barn will be the central hub for families and alumni to gather and gear up for the day’s adventures. It will house equipment and recreational vehicles, providing easy access to motorized areas of the property that are otherwise inaccessible on foot. Designed with convenience and comfort in mind, the Rec Barn will make exploring the entirety of the property both effortless and enjoyable. Additionally, a thoughtfully designed space within the barn will offer families and alumni a welcoming spot to connect and relax outside of their cabins, fostering moments of camaraderie and shared experiences.
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The bedrooms in the lodge are designed as true sanctuaries for the six recipients, each offering an unparalleled space for privacy, rest, and recovery. With one bedroom and bathroom dedicated to each individual, these spaces provide the solitude and comfort needed to recharge and reflect. The bedrooms are designed as private sanctuaries for each of the six recipients, offering a personal bedroom, bathroom, and balcony with stunning landscape views. Tailored for active-duty warriors, the rooms feature pumped oxygen to enhance recovery at high altitudes. With a focus on privacy, comfort, and rest, these tranquil spaces provide the ideal environment for recipients to recharge both physically and mentally, whether enjoying the serene outdoors or the calming interior.
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Designed with intention and gratitude, this dedicated space will provide our Task Force volunteers with the rest they deserve—and need. Until now, housing limitations in our area have meant that most volunteers sleep on cots, sofas, or air mattresses. But the work they do demands more. This thoughtfully designed room will provide a quiet, peaceful environment where up to six volunteers can enjoy restorative, uninterrupted sleep, ensuring they’re fully energized to support our recipients and carry out the crucial work of saving and changing lives. Each volunteer will have: a personal sleeping space with drawers to settle in, a privacy curtain to reduce light and noise, and access to private bathroom stalls and a shared vanity area. More than just a room, this is a place of refuge and recharge, honoring the sacrifice of those who show up for others, day in and day out.
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$500,000 2 available
$250,000 1 available
$100,000 1 available
$75,000 6 available
$50,000 7 available
$25,000 14 available
$10,000 18 available
Located in the heart of the main lodge, within the Memorial Library, The Giving Wall honors the families and individuals who carry the long-term mission of Big Sky Bravery forward. Named to reflect the many levels of belief and generosity it takes to sustain a mission of this magnitude, this wall stands as a symbol of unwavering commitment to what happens on this land: life-saving decompression, reconnection, and restoration for active-duty Special Operations Forces and their families.
