For Donation By Owner

Member has big plans for $1.2 million property gift

Alliance Magazine News Service 08/16/07

Earlier this year, when Steve Hubbard, president and CEO of Alliance for Children and Families member organization Sheriffs Youth Programs of Minnesota, Inner Grove Heights, became aware of a nearby 40-acre equestrian farm whose owner was considering donating to a nonprofit, his mind began running wild with ideas about how his organization could utilize such a gift.

The farm, complete with 48 heated animal stalls, fenced pastures, a heated indoor riding arena, a quarter-mile outdoor track and four living quarters, could offer numerous possibilities for enhancing Sheriffs Youth Programs’ (SYP) services and increasing community awareness of the agency, which provides several programs and services for youth in Minnesota, including group homes, day treatment, and foster care.

Seven proposals from area nonprofits were considered by Bob Ratte, the farm’s owner. Fortunately, the plan submitted by SYP rose to the top. 

	In addition to 48 heated animal stalls, the farm includes fenced pastures, a heated indoor riding arena, a quarter-mile outdoor track, and four living quarters.

“He felt that we were probably the best equipped to be able to take the farm and use it for the purposes of helping children,” Hubbard says. By April, the papers were signed with only two parameters: that the farm be used to support SYP’s mission and that SYP retain ownership for at least six years.

“It was a gift that initially was very overwhelming,” Hubbard says. “You’re letting your imagination run with what the possibilities could be as far as programming, and then realistically you’re thinking of the tasks and the costs of taking on such an operation.”

Those costs were diminished, in part, thanks to Ratte’s decision to also gift the farm’s equipment. That additional gift brought the total donation to an appraised value of about $1.2 million dollars.

SYP’s plan for the farm involves hiring a horse trainer or trainer couple who can teach in both the English and Western style. The residential nature of the farm provides the possibility of hiring live-in trainers, who could operate an independent business out of the farm while dedicating time each month to providing equestrian services to SYP.

Bob Ratte's donation of equipment like the tractor shown below will help to cut costs of the farm's operation and maintenance.

On those days, children served by SYP will be transported to the farm from throughout the state. “During those days that they are at the farm, they would be with the trainer and simply learn to be around horses and receive the benefit of being around horses. They could learn how to care for them, how to groom, and to pick up after them,” Hubbard says. “And, hopefully, that would lead to learning how to ride.”

On the weekends, Hubbard hopes the farm also can be opened for use by equestrian community groups. “It is our way of giving back to the community and, at the same time, it opens up exposure of who we are and what we do to serve children,” he says. “We have already established a number of new donors who have an equestrian interest and really believe in the benefit of using horses to work with kids.”

To celebrate Ratte’s donation, SYP hosted an open house at their newly acquired equestrian farm earlier this year. The event allowed SYP to recognize Ratte for his gift and provide tours of the facility to the nearly 80 people who attended the event.

Sheriffs Youth Programs of Minnesota works to provide services to youth and their families through partnerships with communities. The organization’s mission states its dedication to providing quality and progressive services.