The Fundraising Reset Retreat

A 3-day fundraising residency for founders, creatives, fiscally sponsored projects, and nonprofit leaders who need to get away and get the work done. 
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​For when you do not need another conference.
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You need protected time, expert guidance, and a beautiful space to finally build the fundraising strategy you keep meaning to finish.
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Reset Retreat is an invitation-only working retreat designed for mission-driven leaders who are ready to move from ideas, notes, and scattered conversations into a clear, donor-ready funding plan.
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This is part writers retreat, part development retreat, part fundraising intensive.
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You step away for three days.
You leave with real work done.
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​This retreat is designed for both newcomers and seasoned leaders who are ready to be more intentional about funding.

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This retreat is for you if: 

You are building a creative project, nonprofit, social enterprise, film, or mission-driven company, and you know your fundraising needs a clearer, more strategic plan.
You may be just getting started and trying to understand which funding pieces belong in your model, or you may already have donors, sponsors, investors, grant prospects, or community support and need help connecting the pieces into one usable strategy.
You want dedicated time to think, write, plan, map, and make decisions without being pulled in a dozen directions.
You are looking for a space where thoughtful newcomers and seasoned professionals can step back, ask better questions, and leave with a plan that matches the size, stage, and vision of their work.
Most of all, you are ready to stop playing defense with funding and build a plan you will actually use.

"Thank you so much for your detailed advice and for making a space for creatives to receive help and achieve success, especially in navigating opportunities."

Nhu Than - Writer, Director, Producer

What You’ll Work On

During the retreat, you will receive guided support to build or refine:

  • Your fundraising strategy

  • Your donor and sponsor messaging

  • Your revenue roadmap

  • Your priority prospect list & how to find them

  • Your 90-day outreach plan

  • Your campaign or development calendar

  • Your case for support

  • Your next best asks

This is not a passive learning experience.

You will write.
You will map.
You will make decisions.
You will leave with completed pieces.
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The Experience​

The Fundraising Reset Retreat is intentionally small (10 - 12 spots max) and highly curated.

Over three days, you will have a mix of strategy sessions, quiet work blocks, guided exercises, peer conversation, and direct feedback.

The pace is calm, focused, and productive.

This is protected time to step away from the inbox, the urgent deadlines, and the constant pull of the day-to-day so you can think clearly about the year ahead.


Held in a luxury retreat property in Scottsdale, Arizona


The Fundraising Reset Retreat is designed to give nonprofit leaders and solo fundraisers the time, space, and structure to step away from daily demands and focus on the bigger picture.





For local organizations, the retreat offers dedicated planning time close to home in a restorative setting.


For organizations traveling in, Scottsdale provides one of America’s premier resort destinations, making it an ideal place to combine serious revenue planning with space to recharge.


Participants may stay at the retreat house, if space is available, or arrange their own accommodations nearby.


The day begins with morning yoga at the property, followed by breakfast and coffee before moving into a focused group strategy session. After a catered lunch, you will have the afternoon to work independently, reflect, map out your revenue plan, or find a quiet place on the property to think without interruption. 


You may use this time to recharge and continue your work in the space that feels best for you, whether that is poolside, tucked into a quiet corner of the property, back at your own accommodations, or wherever your mind and spirit feel most inspired.


You will not be planning alone.  Throughout the retreat, you will have access to on-site support from a Certified Fund Raising Executive who can help you work through questions, identify opportunities, and turn ideas into a practical strategy.


At the top of the evening, we will reconvene over an apéritif to share progress, ask questions, and identify next steps. After that, the evening is yours to enjoy. Explore Scottsdale, make dinner plans, continue working, or simply rest.


This retreat is intentionally designed to combine structure with spaciousness, giving you enough guidance to make meaningful progress and enough room to think clearly.


Please come dressed comfortably. This is a retreat-style experience, and we want you to feel at ease throughout the day.


*Food and Dietary Needs - We are happy to accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions whenever possible. Participants will be asked to share any allergies or dietary needs in advance.

Daily Schedule

Morning

8:00 AM
Morning Yoga

9:00 AM
Breakfast and Coffee

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Group Strategy Session

Afternoon

12:00 PM
Catered Lunch

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Independent Planning Time
  • Work on your revenue plan, meet with your team, find a quiet spot on the property, or return to your accommodations.

4:30 PM
Apéritif and Progress Share
  • We will reconvene to reflect on the day, share progress, and talk through next steps.

Evening

Dinner and evening time on your own.

About Your Host

The retreat is led by Melissa Watson Erickson, CFRE, founder and Executive Director of The Funding Studio & Fiscally Sponsored. Melissa is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a sought-after lecturer at universities, economic development centers, festivals, and conferences. Her work sits at the intersection of philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and creative impact.

"I've worked in the nonprofit world for 15 years, and Melissa is by far one of the most innovative and efficient fundraisers I've had the privilege to collaborate with."

Laura Scarano - Social Impact Producer

What Makes This Different?

Most fundraising workshops send you home with ideas.

​This reset retreat sends you home with assets.

​This experience is designed for leaders who are tired of knowing what they “should” do and are ready to actually build the plan, language, and next steps that move funding conversations forward.

Investment

Retreat Access

$2,500
Full 3-day retreat experience
Guided fundraising strategy sessions
Working sessions and templates
Group coaching and feedback
Curated peer conversations
Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitif)
Morning Yoga
Quarterly Alumni Check In Video Conferences
10% off future bookings
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Retreat Access+

$3,500
Includes everything in Retreat Access, plus:
Pre-retreat planning call
Post-retreat follow-up session
Priority review of one fundraising asset
This option is ideal for participants who want the full residency experience and the deepest level of focus.
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Residency Experience

$4,500
Includes everything in Retreat Access+, as well as:
Stay in the retreat house (limited availability)
Additional evening strategy conversations
More spacious access to the full retreat environment
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Upcoming Retreat Dates

July 13-15, 2026
October 5-7, 2026
January 4-6, 2027
April 5-7, 2027

"Melissa's genuine commitment to empowering both artists and their work is unparalleled."

Ashley Gianni - Writer, Director, Producer

Invitation Only

The Fundraising Reset Retreat is invitation-only to protect the quality of the room.

Each participant is selected with care so that the group is aligned, thoughtful, and ready to do the work.

This is not about filling seats.

It is about creating the right room.
I'M READY

By the end of the retreat, you will leave with:

A clearer funding strategy
Stronger donor language
A practical outreach plan
A better understanding of your revenue opportunities
Fundraising assets you can keep using
New momentum
A focused next step
​​The Fundraising Reset Retreat is designed for people who are ready to take their fundraising seriously and give themselves the time to build the strategy behind the ask.

Request an invitation to join the next Fundraising Reset Retreat.
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  • What are you hoping to leave with after three days? *
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