September Updates
Big Sky Bravery Ranch | September 2026 Progress Report
Building With Purpose. Preparing for Generations.
September brought another month of meaningful progress at the Big Sky Bravery Ranch. Across the property, construction crews continued transforming architectural plans into the spaces that will one day welcome our nation's Special Operations Forces and their families.
With each passing month, walls are taking shape, interiors are coming together, and the details that make each building functional and welcoming are beginning to emerge.
But behind every construction milestone is a much greater purpose.
The Big Sky Bravery Ranch is being built to provide something increasingly difficult to find in the lives of those serving at the highest levels of our military: uninterrupted time to rest, reconnect, and simply be present.
September Construction Progress
The Main Lodge remains a central focus of construction activity. Throughout September, crews advanced mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) rough-ins while continuing masonry, drywall installation, exterior fascia and siding, and spray foam insulation.
Together, these improvements are bringing the Lodge closer to becoming the heart of the Ranch, where recipients will gather, share meals, build relationships, and find space away from the demands of service.
Elsewhere on the property, each building continued moving forward.
At the Caretakers Cabin, painting, priming, and fascia installation progressed, bringing the residence closer to completion. This home will eventually welcome a retired SOF family who will live on the property and help care for the Ranch and those it serves.
The Recreation Barn saw continued progress on weather-resistant barrier installation, painting, and priming. Designed to provide opportunities for recreation, connection, and shared experiences, this space will play an important role in life at the Ranch.
At the Alumni Cabin, crews continued installing weather-resistant barriers and advancing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
The Family Cabin also moved forward with ongoing MEP rough-ins, laying the groundwork for a space designed to bring military families together.
Looking Ahead
As construction moves into October, several areas of the Ranch are preparing to enter new stages of development.
At the Main Lodge, work will continue on masonry, MEP systems, drywall, fascia, and siding.
The Caretakers Cabin is expected to begin installing flooring, tile, and gutters, marking another important step toward completion.
At the Recreation Barn, crews are preparing to begin masonry and tile installation, while the Alumni and Family Cabins will continue progressing through their mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.
A Legacy Beyond Construction
For more than a decade, Big Sky Bravery has witnessed what happens when our nation's most elite warriors are given the opportunity to step away from the operational demands placed on them.
We've seen the importance of spending time with others who carry common experiences. We've witnessed families reconnect after long periods of separation, and we've learned that the relationships formed in Montana extend far beyond a single Task Force.
The Big Sky Bravery Ranch is an investment in continuing that impact.
While the buildings themselves are taking shape today, the true measure of this project will be found in the lives and relationships strengthened within them for decades to come.
We remain deeply grateful to the investors, partners, construction teams, and supporters who continue to make this vision possible.
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 Mandy Hood at mandy@bigskybravery.org.
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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.
