The Ken-Caryl Ranch Foundation, created in October of 1990, was originally conceived as an organization to accept deductible donations of money and other items of value to be used to benefit the community, but quickly found itself involved in the acquisition from the developer of the Ranch of 537 acres in the South Valley area of the Ken-Caryl Ranch to be preserved as open space.  The early years of the foundation were devoted to ensuring that the purchase of the South Valley was completed.

The foundation since that time has engaged in numerous activities, including art shows and golf tournaments, to raise funds to benefit cultural, recreational and educational opportunities on the ranch.  The benefits have included: scholarship awards given to area high school students; programs in area elementary and middle schools to support music, the arts, and educational programs; the Make-a-Wish Foundation; the Alive-at-25 teen driving program; disability renovations at the Ken-Caryl Ranch House, including a lift, ramps, and swimming pool access; for historical preservation of the Bradford-Perley House in the valley; and support for The Miracle Field, a solid surface ball field at the Schaefer Athletic Complex of the Foothills Park and Recreation District in Jefferson County.