Questions to Ask for Planning a Successful Retreat

One of the perks of working at the Foundation Center is having access to hundreds of books aimed at grantseekers and grantmakers. The book Secrets of Successful Retreats recently caught my attention. Like most people, I am drawn to secrets out of curiosity.

Here are a few questions recommended in the book that you should ask when preparing to host a retreat:

• How much time will we need to announce the retreat before it takes place?


• Does the space fit what we need? Can we afford it? Does it have space for breakout sessions?


• What outcomes do we desire from the retreat? How will the retreat flow? When will we break? When and what meals will we provide?


• Who will facilitate the retreat?


• What materials, handouts, or equipment do we need to facilitate any exercises?


• What information do we need to collect prior to the retreat? Is there information we need to distribute in advance as pre-retreat 'homework'?

Secrets of Successful Retreats contains a plethora of tips from professionals in the nonprofit sector. This book is available for checkout from our library/learning center through our free lending program.

Asia Hadley, Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta