Matt “Guy on the Ranch” Downer
30+ year Silicon Valley “We Can Do It All” dylexic little yellow school bus riding ADHD high school dropout to tech exec to sustainable Ai‑living philanthropist.
I Retired in July 2019 to build Camp ikigai: a 72‑acre animal sanctuary, farm, off‑grid community & healing space. From there everything else was born from an absolute place of need and change for all 🌱
About Me
I’m Matt Downer aka GuyOnTheRanch – once a Silicon Valley tech leader, now a global tech leader gone tech philanthropist dedicated to living off‑grid with a purpose, protecting rural habitats and saving animals through ikigai Sanctuary 501c3, aka Camp ikigai Animal Sanctuary 501c3.
In July 2019 I retired from corporate and government life (or so I thought) to pursue a lifelong vision: teaching sustainable living and helping others find their ikigai. Now I do this in unison.
Three times in my 50 years of existing, I have achieved paper billionaire status now three times. Each time I am reminded as to why I wish not to be. Do good or just go home. If you can’t help others, then why are you even existing?
Friends and colleagues describe me as “one of the sharpest and most intelligent people I know”.
Some of Our Vision & Mission
- 🌿 Restore and conserve rural habitats.
- 🐾 Rescue, rehabilitate, and give sanctuary to abused and EOL domestic & farm animals.
- 🏕️ Create a healing live‑work community that integrates humans and animals in harmony.
- 🎯 Teach off‑grid sustainable living, PTSD and trauma animal therapy, agro‑ecology, climate action, and intentional community building.
Key Projects
- Camp ikigai Animal Sanctuary 501c3 Campikigai.com
A 72‑acre nature & animal sanctuary near Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Hosts animal therapy, farming, camp/glampground, tiny‑home transition, hospitality, and farming education . - ikigai Intentional Community ikigaiIC
A live‑work co‑housing model focused on healing, sustainability, and helping others find purpose. - Downer Ranch Farms (now ikigaiFARMS)
Sustainable agriculture including egg production, farm-to-table education and seasonal farm events. - Mine Hill Tiny Homes MineHillTinyHomes.com
Building alternative tiny‑home dwellings, RV/van conversions and off‑grid living solutions. - Bear Mountain IT & Off‑Grid Tech BearMountainIT.com
MSP, solar/off‑grid tech, weather stations, remote IT services for sustainable communities. - PawsOnTheFly PawsOnTheFly.com
Mobile pet grooming, training & daycare and pet resorts —marrying care for animals with healing communities.
Our Impact & Outreach
- Over 10,000 visitors to our project and park of the future since July of 2019.
- Rescue and sanctuary for farm animals suffering abuse or neglect. Campikigai.com
- PTSD animal therapy programs for veterans and trauma survivors in all chapters of life. ikigaiVETs, ikigaiCARES & ikigaiVOICE
- Environmental stewardship: wildlife protection, climate action, carbon sequestration and sustainable farming. ikigaiPARKS
Gallery & Media
Explore visuals and virtual tours of our ranch and sanctuary:
- Instagram Reels – virtual tours in ultra‑high resolution
- YouTube Channel – “Saving the Planet. Saving the Animals. Saving the Humans.”
- TikTok Until You Don’t Drop – All this life has to offer
Get Involved
- Stay at Camp ikigai – Tiny cabins, tent/RV sites & retreats
- Linktree – Donate, volunteer, wishlist, connect
- Join the ikigaiIC Intentional Community
Contact & Connect
Address: 40580 Ruth Hill Road, Yokuts Valley (Squaw Valley), CA 93675
Phone: Toll Free +1 .844.4ikigai International +1.559.461.9980
Email: info@ikigaisanctuary.org