The Gathering for Social Impact
Navigate the Chaos With Confidence
April 9-12, 2026
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Not to be a buzzkill, but
We're all downstream from the Federal Government and it's absolute chaos out here.
As social impact freelancers and consultants, we've always been forced to adapt to political and economic changes in our communities. But nothing—not even a global pandemic—could've prepared us for the "permanent air of uncertainty" we're feeling now. The best thing we can do now is come together and create a strategic plan to convert that chaos and confusion into calm, confident resolve.
That's why we’d love for you to join us at The Gathering 2026.
This gathering isn't just about commiserating (though that's a perk!). It's about fueling positive social impact by becoming better leaders. It’s about getting smart and strategic so we can navigate the confusion with chill confidence.
Our goal is for you to leave The Gathering feeling calm, collected, and fully prepared to handle any curveball the current administration throws your way.
The Gathering is For You If...
 | You’re a consultant or freelancer committed to social impact for positive change. |
| You’re ready to get energized and connect human-to-human |
| You’re SO OVER boring hotel conferences. (This is the exact opposite of that.) |
| You want to know what’s working, what others have learned lately, and how to best navigate uncertainty. |
Meet Your Speakers
Heinrich
Fernández Paulino
Hosted By:
& Alex Lustig
Rose Hedberg
Rose Hedberg is a writer by trade (a published author and grant writer), whose passion for storytelling evolved beyond the page when she discovered the art of sales in 2023. Seeing how sales touched every corner of life—from the shows we binge to the services we buy—she became fixated on understanding its reputation, especially in the nonprofit world.
Since then, Rose has led over 400 successful sales calls mastering the craft of nurturing prospects through email, direct messaging, and one-on-one calls. Under the mentorship of sales expert Chris R. Rigoudis, Rose now applies a curious, connected, and transformation-based approach to selling, because "people don't buy out of desperation, they buy out of hope."
At The Gathering, Rose's breakout session will support nonprofit professionals in navigating donor and client conversations with confidence and integrity. We'll unpack how to approach sales conversations with authenticity—conquering objections, articulating your value, and reframing sales as a form of storytelling.
Tyler Hobbs
Tyler Hobbs (he/him) is a philanthropy and nonprofit leader with experience in secondary education, fundraising, and organizational development. A former educator, school administrator, and fundraiser, he was recruited in 2020 to build the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation's infrastructure and grantmaking strategy. The foundation now distributes over $20 million annually to nonprofit organizations across Oregon. You can learn more about Tyler and the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation here.
Rachel Werner
Rachel Werner is the Principal at MyFedTrainer, a nationally recognized federal grants compliance training provider. She is also the Owner and CEO of RBW Strategy, a woman-owned grants consulting firm located in the Washington, DC, area. Rachel and her team at RBW Strategy have collectively raised over $450 million and managed over $2.5 billion in federal grant awards, and she has trained thousands of individuals and groups at conferences, through virtual webinars, and MyFedTrainer courses. She has a Certificate in Grants Management, is a certified Project Management Professional, is a Certified Grants Professional, and Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. You can learn more about Rachel and My FedTrainer here.
Diana Farias Heinrich
Diana Farias Heinrich (she/her) is an entrepreneur, speaker, and guardian of ethical nonprofit storytelling. As the CEO of Habrá Marketing, she actively safeguards equality, respect, and dignity in nonprofit communications while helping organizations raise funds with integrity.
She created Equastory™, a transformative 4-step framework that ensures nonprofits stay true to their foundational values while powerfully sharing their impact. As the visionary behind The Ethical Nonprofit Summit, she leads the industry dialogue on ethical storytelling and fundraising practices, protecting the very values that draw people to nonprofit work.
Diana is a certified Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence and for DEI in the Workplace. She holds bachelor's degrees in Literature/Writing and Latin American Studies, bringing depth and cultural awareness to her work.
Her proudest accomplishments are being a mom and wife, and helping women in Ghana start a sustainable, clean water business. She enjoys aerial silks and visiting national parks.
Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino
Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino is a queer Mexican-American money and self-care coach who went from solving math problems in the classroom to solving money struggles for first-gen wealth builders. Living with Celiac disease, PTSD, and ADHD taught them that financial security must never come at the cost of joy and wellness. As founder and CEO of Wealth Para Todos, Soledad guides progressive first-gen and second-gen wealth builders toward financial independence rooted in D.I.V.E.R.S.E. self-care. Featured by NPR, CNET, and Bankrate, they use 1:1 coaching, Wealth Para Todos Academy, and their weekly podcast to help people become financially flexible now—and work-optional con tiempo.
Hosted By:
& Alex Lustig
*This will continue to be updated as we refine the agenda
Rose Hedberg
Rose Hedberg is a writer by trade (a published author and grant writer), whose passion for storytelling evolved beyond the page when she discovered the art of sales in 2023. Seeing how sales touched every corner of life—from the shows we binge to the services we buy—she became fixated on understanding its reputation, especially in the nonprofit world.
Since then, Rose has led over 400 successful sales calls mastering the craft of nurturing prospects through email, direct messaging, and one-on-one calls. Under the mentorship of sales expert Chris R. Rigoudis, Rose now applies a curious, connected, and transformation-based approach to selling, because "people don't buy out of desperation, they buy out of hope."
At The Gathering, Rose’s breakout session will support nonprofit professionals in navigating donor and client conversations with confidence and integrity. We'll unpack how to approach sales conversations with authenticity—conquering objections, articulating your value, and reframing sales as a form of storytelling.
Participants will walk away with:
- Practical techniques to address and overcome common objections
- Clarity on what distinguishes “pushy” from “proactive” communication
- A deeper understanding of how sales is simply transformation-based storytelling
Tyler Hobbs
Tyler Hobbs (he/him) is a philanthropy and nonprofit leader with experience in secondary education, fundraising, and organizational development. A former educator, school administrator, and fundraiser, he was recruited in 2020 to build the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation’s infrastructure and grantmaking strategy. The foundation now distributes over $20 million annually to nonprofit organizations across Oregon. You can learn more about Tyler and the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation here.
Rachel Werner
Rachel Werner is the Principal at MyFedTrainer, a nationally recognized federal grants compliance training provider. She is also the Owner and CEO of RBW Strategy, a woman-owned grants consulting firm located in the Washington, DC, area. Rachel and her team at RBW Strategy have collectively raised over $450 million and managed over $2.5 billion in federal grant awards, and she has trained thousands of individuals and groups at conferences, through virtual webinars, and MyFedTrainer courses. She has a Certificate in Grants Management, is a certified Project Management Professional, is a Certified Grants Professional, and Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. You can learn more about Rachel and My FedTrainer here.
Diana Farias Heinrich
Diana Farias Heinrich (she/her) is an entrepreneur, speaker, and guardian of ethical nonprofit storytelling. As the CEO of Habrá Marketing, she actively safeguards equality, respect, and dignity in nonprofit communications while helping organizations raise funds with integrity.
She created Equastory™, a transformative 4-step framework that ensures nonprofits stay true to their foundational values while powerfully sharing their impact. As the visionary behind The Ethical Nonprofit Summit, she leads the industry dialogue on ethical storytelling and fundraising practices, protecting the very values that draw people to nonprofit work.
Diana is a certified Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence and for DEI in the Workplace. She holds bachelor's degrees in Literature/Writing and Latin American Studies, bringing depth and cultural awareness to her work.
Her proudest accomplishments are being a mom and wife, and helping women in Ghana start a sustainable, clean water business. She enjoys aerial silks and visiting national parks.
Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino
Rita-Soledad Fernández Paulino is a queer Mexican-American money and self-care coach who went from solving math problems in the classroom to solving money struggles for first-gen wealth builders. Living with Celiac disease, PTSD, and ADHD taught them that financial security must never come at the cost of joy and wellness. As founder and CEO of Wealth Para Todos, Soledad guides progressive first-gen and second-gen wealth builders toward financial independence rooted in D.I.V.E.R.S.E. self-care. Featured by NPR, CNET, and Bankrate, they use 1:1 coaching, Wealth Para Todos Academy, and their weekly podcast to help people become financially flexible now—and work-optional con tiempo.
Sponsored By:
Event Details Overview
Location
📍 Brasada Ranch, Bend, Oregon
Dates
🗓️ Thursday, April 9 (National 🦄 Day!) – Sunday, April 12, 2026
Getting There
Fly into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), and we'll take care of the rest
Event Size
120 grant writers — mostly exclusive to members of the Grant Writers Collective!
Vibe in a Sentence
So much fun and value, you'll never want to attend a boring event again.
Price
$2,750 (all-inclusive except flights)
What's Included
 | Luxe Lodging in the Ranch House Guestrooms, each with a private terrace, cozy outdoor firepit, and hot tub — perfect for relaxing and recharging. |
| Farm-to-Table Meals crafted by Brasada's culinary team, sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers, purveyors, and foragers. We'll happily accommodate any dietary needs. |
| Gorgeous Barn-Style Venue for daytime breakout sessions — because we're so over cookie-cutter hotel conference venues. |
| Outdoor & Indoor Activities — bring your hiking boots and yoga gear (gentle, beginner-friendly classes included!). |
| Airport Transportation to and from Redmond for a seamless arrival and departure. |
| National Unicorn Day Kickoff Celebration — Our first time gathering in person, so you know we're going big to celebrate! |
| Themed Evening Parties — Hint: you might be dusting off your old wedding dress or favorite costume for the "Nowhere to Wear It" party. 😉 |
| An Epic Lineup of Inspirational Speakers sharing exclusive insights and game-changing strategies. |
| Tangible Takeaways & Resources with a 90-day "Return to Work" plan — so you can put everything you learn into action immediately. |
The Game Plan
Have we ever let you down? Well, we aren't going to start now!
As we confirm more guest speakers and continue to nail down the full line-up of social impact workshops, panel discussions, and the special events schedule, you’ll receive an updated agenda via email. For now, here is an overview of what to expect at The Gathering.
Thursday, April 9
| Arrivals: Fly into Redmond Airport (RDM) between 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (ideal!) |
| Check-in: Settle into your guest cabin and explore the property at your leisure. |
| 6:30 PM: National Unicorn Day Kickoff Celebration — themed opening night party to kick things off in style! |
Friday, April 10
| 7:00 AM: Hike with the LGW team or Morning Pages with Rose — wake up with intention and friends. |
| 8:00 AM: Delicious Breakfast — fuel up for the day ahead. |
| 9:00 AM: Opening Session — setting the stage for a transformative weekend. |
| 10:00 AM: Breakout Tracks — dedicated sessions explicitly tailored for social impact consultants, freelancers, and grant writers. |
| 11:15 AM: Panel Discussion on Trends in the Industry featuring funders and guest experts. |
| 12:00 PM: Lunch — network, refuel, and relax. |
Friday Afternoon & Evening
| 1:30 PM: Afternoon Workshop — dive deeper into strategies and insights. |
| 2:00 PM: Afternoon Keynote - dive into ethical storytelling with Diana Farias Heinrich. |
| 3:30 PM: Professional Headshots - when was the last time you had new headshots taken? We've got you covered! |
| 3:30 PM: Recharge Time — take a nap, go for a hike, hit the athletic center, or do whatever you need to recharge! |
| 6:30 PM: Dinner followed by Speed Networking Night — get to know your fellow attendees in a fast-paced, fun format. |
Saturday, April 11
| 7:30 AM: Morning Yoga with Alex — start your day with some gentle stretches and mindfulness. |
| 8:30 AM: Delicious Breakfast — energize for the day ahead. |
| 9:30 AM: Morning Keynote — get ready to get inspired! |
| 10:30 AM: Break-Out Workshops — intimate, collaborative sessions for social impact consultants and freelancers. Theme: Money! |
| 12:00 PM: Lunch — take a moment to relax and enjoy great food and conversation. |
Saturday Afternoon & Evening
| 1:30 PM: Afternoon Workshop — dive into actionable strategies and insights. |
| 3:30 PM: Professional Headshots - fabulous for a LinkedIn refresh |
| 3:30 PM: Recharge Time — time to reflect, refresh, or take a walk in the beautiful surroundings. |
| 6:30 PM: Finale Dinner Celebration — a memorable evening of celebration, reflection, and fun. |
| After-party: Nowhere to Wear It — bring out your creative side and join us for a themed party (dust off that old wedding dress or your favorite costume!). |
Sunday, April 12
| 8:00 AM: Farewell Breakfast — enjoy a final meal with new friends before heading out. |
| 9:00 AM: Shuttles to Airport — transportation provided to Redmond Airport (RDM) for your departure. |
| 11:00 AM: Checkout — say your goodbyes and check out by 11 AM. |
Cost
You’re getting an all-inclusive 7-star experience (a core value of ours), luxury accommodations, priceless networking opportunities, and unparalleled continued education to upgrade your social impact game, all for less than you’d spend for a ticket to one of those boring traditional hotel conferences.
Member of the Collective? Email [email protected] to snag your member-only ticket price.
Includes:
- Incredible line up of speakers
- Stunning cabin lodging
- Homemade, locally sourced meals and snacks
- All activities and themed parties
- Conference venue
- Transportation to/from airport
- Surprise swag
- Access to Athletic Center and Spa
- 90-Day "Back to Work" Plan
- Priceless insights and connections
- And oh so much more
P.S. We do have a few shared room options that can lower your price. Email us at [email protected] if you're interested.
We'll Have Done Our Job If You
Leave The Gathering Feeling …
| Calm and confident in the face of all this chaos and uncertainty caused by the Federal Government. The current confusion and uncertainty we're dealing with as social impact professionals probably won’t last forever, but it’s not going away anytime soon. This Gathering will send you home with tangible takeaways for navigating these challenging times with confidence. |
| Grounded in Your Authority as an Expert You're not just a social impact consultant. You’re doing the hard and necessary work of advancing positive change in our communities. You'll leave with proven strategies, scripts for positioning your value, and coaching to help you claim your space as a confident authority—even if you're still building credibility. |
| Inspired to Unlock Your Level 10 Self Listen up—you get into rooms like these, and you’ll fundamentally change as a human. You’ll see what's possible. You’ll feel wicked inspired. If we’re being honest, this work can be lonely and discouraging at times. More now than ever, you need Unicorn Besties on speed dial. The Gathering will unlock a new level 10 version of you. |
| Tuned into the Latest AI Strategies for Social Impact Consultants The social impact industry is NOT keeping up with the fast advances happening with today’s AI tools and effective strategies that are both ethical and secure. Truth is that most of our "competitors" aren't building a work culture around developing AI skills. The gap between social impact consultants who effectively use AI and those who don't is already widening, but by 2026 it will explode. We want to put you ahead of the curve. |
| Ready to Take Bold Action with Real, Tangible Takeaways At The Gathering, you won't just leave with inspiration — you'll leave with real tools in hand that you can apply to work immediately. From a 90-day Return to Work Action Plan to customizable frameworks, swipe files, and scripts, you'll be ready and excited to implement everything you've learned and hit the ground running when you get home. |
QUESTIONS
If we didn't answer your question, please send us an email at [email protected]
Fly into Redmond Airport (RDM) and land between 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM on Thursday, April 9. We’ll coordinate shuttle transportation (we’ll collect your flight details closer to the event). If you’re arriving much later, we may ask you to take a Lyft or Taxi, as our National Unicorn Day Celebration starts at 6:30 PM, and we’d hate for you to miss it!
Don't worry, we'll send you a full packing list by email, but here's a quick preview:
- Comfortable, colorful clothes (break free from black and navy—you're not at a boring conference!).
- Outdoor attire (think tennis shoes and breathable clothes for some exploration).
- Hot pink for Speed Networking Night!
- National Unicorn Day outfits (Unicorn attire encouraged, but at least bring the sequins! Think boas, crowns, unicorn horns, gems, and glam!).
- "Nowhere to Wear It" themed outfit (Bust out that old wedding dress, costume, or anything that never gets worn in the back of your closet!).
- Your laptop for a few of the live workshops and sessions.
Leave work behind! Don't let emails or to-do lists distract you from being fully present. We want you to work ON your nonprofit or business, not IN it.
We've got you covered! Our culinary team at Brasada Ranch will provide gluten-free and dairy-free options, and we're happy to accommodate other dietary needs. We'll ask you for this information closer to the event date in a survey.
Yep, you'll have plenty of access to the outside world. That said, we'll encourage you to disconnect and immerse yourself fully in the experience.
We understand—life happens! You can cancel for a full refund up to 60 days before the event. You can receive a 50% refund after 30 days. After that, we're unable to offer refunds, but we can help transfer your spot to someone else if needed.
Expect swanky, rustic vibes—with a touch of fancy! We hosted our 5% Club Mastermind here a few years ago, and let's just say, hot tub social hour was a thing. You'll be comfy!
Yes, we offer a limited number of scholarships specifically for BIPOC community members. If that's you, please email [email protected] for the application.
Absolutely! This is legit professional development—and every penny is an investment in yourself and your future. Expect to 10x your ROI. Let's do this!
Yes! This is the first time we're opening our event to non-members. However, space is limited, so don't wait to register!
We want this retreat to be accessible to all. Please inform our team what your accommodations are and we will do our very best. If you are unsure before purchasing your ticket, please email [email protected] and we will get you an answer!
We're sorry, but we prefer to keep the focus on you. Having family members along can divide your attention and prevent you from fully immersing in the experience. That said, they are welcome to explore Bend while you're at the event, and you can join them before or after.
What are you waiting for?
