Ranch Help
The Ranch Help program supports ranchers and working lands across Arizona. Through hands-on assistance — fence mending, cattle roundups, veterinary care, and economic sustainability efforts — we help ensure that the families who steward this land can continue their vital work.
We partner with school FFA programs and agricultural organizations to develop future ranchers and veterinarians, promoting Arizona’s agricultural heritage and investing in the next generation.
Agricultural & Vocational Education
The Foundation advances agricultural and vocational education through youth programs, field experiences, and partnerships with educational institutions. We believe that hands-on learning in real agricultural settings is the most effective way to inspire and prepare the next generation of ranchers, veterinarians, and land stewards.
By connecting young people with working ranches and experienced agricultural professionals, we bridge the gap between classroom learning and the practical skills needed to sustain Arizona’s ranching way of life.
Western Heritage Access Endowment
The Western Heritage Access Endowment is a permanent, restricted-use fund dedicated to reducing financial barriers to the Desert Caballeros Ride and preserving Western heritage for future generations.
Established through a generous seed donation, the Endowment includes a Bitcoin-backed Seed Fund with specific investment restrictions designed to protect and grow the principal over time. No Bitcoin may be liquidated before January 1, 2030, and thereafter no more than 5% of holdings may be sold in any calendar year.
The Endowment is governed by a Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) consisting of five voting members drawn from both the Foundation and the Desert Caballeros Ride boards. All distributions are made directly to third-party vendors for eligible costs, ensuring full transparency and compliance.
100% Tax-Deductible Donations
Your contribution of whatever amount is 100% tax-deductible. Ask your accountant for details. All caballeros are encouraged to leave a bequest to the Desert Caballeros Foundation in your will. Contact Tony Bacon at tonybacon49@gmail.com with any questions about such a bequest.
The 1947 Society – Securing the Spirit of the West for the Next 100 Years
The Vision
Since that first sunny afternoon in 1947, when 75 riders led by Leo Carillo set out from Wickenburg, the Desert Caballeros Ride has been more than just a week in the saddle. It is the Greatest Trail Ride in the American West — a living, breathing connection to the frontier spirit that built this country.
We have been blessed with seven decades of memories. Now, it is our duty to ensure that the Desert Caballeros Ride doesn’t just survive — but thrives — for our grandsons and their grandsons.
The 1947 Society, established in 2026 and honoring the year the Desert Caballeros Ride was started, was born from a bold visionary stand taken by fellow riders and the Desert Caballeros Ride Board. That vision culminated in a generous donation that formed the Western Heritage Access Endowment — a permanent fund to guarantee the Ride’s future.
2026 Founder’s Circle
We are inviting a select group of visionaries to join the Desert Caballeros 1947 Society Founder’s Circle. By joining, you are helping to create a permanent Endowment that will generate the annual support needed to:
- Guarantee the Ride’s Future — Insulate the ride from economic downturns and rising costs.
- Expand Access — Reduce financial barriers so more people can experience this historic tradition.
- Cement Your Legacy — Your name will be permanently recorded as one of the guardians who stood up when it mattered most.
Founder’s Circle members will be recognized with:
- A commemorative pin to be worn on badges or hats during the Ride
- Their name engraved on a custom Founder’s Circle plaque displayed at Desert Caballeros Headquarters
- Recognition on the Foundation website
