named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Alumni Engagement
Initiative led by the Mission Engagement Director to connect with former campers and staff through events, podcasts, and outreach to sustain long-term spiritual growth
Summer Camp Program
Seasonal wilderness camping program for boys and young men at two locations: Deerfoot Lodge Adirondacks (NY) and Deerfoot Lodge Blue Ridge (NC), focused on spiritual growth and character development
True North Podcast
Audio program hosted by the Mission Engagement Director that shares stories and teachings from the Deerfoot community to extend the ministry beyond summer camp
Work Weekends
Volunteer-driven events where adult supporters contribute labor to maintain and expand camp facilities, combining service with spiritual fellowship
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Engage alumni and families in ongoing spiritual development across generationsSustains long-term spiritual formation through intergenerational participation, alumni engagement, and regional gatherings, extending the camp experience beyond summer sessions. Includes hosting alumni events and information sessions in volunteers’ homes to strengthen community ties.
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Camp Volunteer Engagement & Facility Stewardship 1 activity
- Host volunteer work weekends at camp locationsOrganizes annual volunteer work weekends at both camp sites involving adult volunteers in physical service projects such as log hauling and camp maintenance, combined with spiritual fellowship through weekly communion services.
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Youth and Young Adult Spiritual Engagement 1 activity
- Operate Christ-centered wilderness summer camps for boys and young menRuns long-term wilderness camping programs at two locations—Deerfoot Lodge Adirondacks in Speculator, NY, and Deerfoot Lodge Blue Ridge in Glenville, NC—designed to foster spiritual, personal, and relational development in youth within a Christ-centered community. Programs are structured for multi-year participation, with documented transformative impact on campers' spiritual lives.
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Religious Media Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produce spiritual formation content for the Deerfoot communityProduces a podcast series titled 'True North' to provide ongoing spiritual engagement and fellowship for the Deerfoot community beyond the summer season.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Recruit staff and promote programs through church and school outreachBuilds organizational capacity by connecting staff with churches and schools for speaking engagements to support recruitment and program awareness.
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Missionary Support Services 1 activity
- Support missionary outreach through camp offeringsCollects financial offerings during each summer camp session to support missionary work, integrating global outreach into the camp’s spiritual programming.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.03M
Contributions & grants$1.29M32%
Program service revenue$2.42M60%
Investment income$303K8%
Other revenue$13K
expenses
Total expenses$3.83M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$1.57M
Grants paid out$233K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$21.54M
Cash$3.98M
Investments$3.99M
Liabilities$42K
Net assets$21.50M
Liquid reserves24.9 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +5.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Ronald Mackey | Executive Dir. | 40 | $150K |
| Craig Boronow | Summer Camp Dir. | 40 | $149K |
| Nicholas Dotti | Summer Camp Dir. | 40 | $125K |
board members · 12
- Brent Karner — Director
- Douglas Gilbert — Director
- Drew Hamer — Director
- Greg Welsh — Treasurer
- James Barnes — Secretary
- James Boland — Director
- Jeffrey Littauer — Vice Chair
- Jim Oehrig — Director
- Richard Magee — Director
- Steve Min — Director
- Steven Sanchez — Director
- Ted Harro — Chair
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Adirondacks, NY Partner — Co-hosts volunteer work weekends with Deerfoot Lodge.
- Apple Podcasts Partner — Distributes the 'True North' podcast through Apple Podcasts
- Blue Ridge, NC Partner — Co-hosts volunteer work weekends with Deerfoot Lodge.
- Bobby Patton Partner — Parent and alumni who credits Deerfoot with laying the foundation of his faith across three generations.
- CCCA Network — Member of the Christian Camps and Conference Association.
- Chief Ron Partner — Point of contact for information about becoming a Deerfoot-endorsed missionary.
- Chris Bilezikian Partner — Camper and staff alumni who participated for 16 consecutive summers and affirms long-term impact of ministry.
- Clear Lake Furniture Partner — Board member Brent C. Karner is President of Clear Lake Furniture, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
- DFW Capital Partners Partner — Board member Douglas H. Gilbert is a partner at DFW Capital Partners, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
- Deerfooters Network — Global community of supporters and alumni who provide ongoing prayers and support.
- ECAP Network — Member of ECAP (Evangelical Council for Accountability Partners).
- ECFA Network — Accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
- Hope Rises International Partner — Board member Jim Oehrig is a Global Advisor for Hope Rises International, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
- Kenyon Knapp Partner — Parent and alumni who supports Deerfoot’s mission and provides testimonial endorsement.
- Lucy Burks Partner — Parent whose family includes three generations of participants in Deerfoot programs.
- Moody Bible Institute Partner — Board member Steven H. Sanchez is a professor at Moody Bible Institute, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
- OAK Engineering Partner — Board member Greg Welsh is Founding Partner of OAK Engineering, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
- Renovaré Partner — Board member Ted Harro is President of Renovaré, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
- Spotify Partner — Distributes the 'True North' podcast through Spotify
- Susan Gnade Partner — Parent whose children have participated in Deerfoot programs; provides testimonial support.
- Venable LLP Partner — Board member James Y. Boland is a partner at Venable LLP, indicating a professional affiliation with the organization.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Faith-Based Wilderness Immersion for Character Formationmethodology: faith-based_wilderness_mentoringBy immersing young men in wilderness environments within a Christ-centered community, we produce spiritual and personal growth because shared vulnerability, collective challenge, and separation from routine distractions create transformative conditions for discipleship and character development.
- Mission-Integrated Spiritual Formationmethodology: mission_extension_through_endorsementBy connecting spiritual growth to global mission awareness and alumni engagement, we deepen participants’ faith commitment because seeing faith lived out in missionary service reinforces personal discipleship and extends the community’s spiritual impact.
- Relational Discipleship Through Integrated Communal Livingmethodology: relational-discipleship-through-laborBy integrating worship, work, mentorship, and daily life in a shared faith-based community, we produce lasting spiritual formation because consistent relational engagement and communal living model Christian character in action, fostering deep personal transformation.