2026 Community Retreat Sponsorships
The 2026 SUDC Foundation Community Retreat
September 17th – 20th
Radisson Blu, Bloomington, MN
Sponsorship is central to ensuring we are able to provide unique experiences for connection that will protect and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of the SUDC community. Bereaved family members affected by the sudden unexplained loss of a child will participate in therapeutic opportunities and restorative activities specifically designed for grieving families to connect and heal.
All retreat programs are offered to attendees at no cost.
Along with your sponsorship, we’ll recognize your contribution on social media, displays, table tents, breakout rooms or other prominent points during the retreat, workshops and activities — in the weeks before, during, and after the retreat. Your support will contribute to the mental health and well-being of those attending the retreat. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Milliken at elizabeth@sudc.org.
Sponsorships for programmatic support include prominent signage and marketing benefits. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Milliken at elizabeth@sudc.org.
Retreat Sponsors
Families affected by the sudden, unexpected or unexplained loss of a child who are registered with the SUDC Foundation are invited to the Radisson Blu in Bloomington, MN, for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to come together to restore, reconnect, remember, and renew. The three-day retreat will feature unique experiences for connection that will protect and support the physical, mental and emotional health of our families. Activities include educational opportunities and family-fun events specifically designed for grieving families to connect and heal.
Premier Sponsorship - $25,000 Graciously Supported by Vivienne's Joy Foundation
Global Sponsorship - $12,000 Graciously Supported by Hudson Henriksen Foundation
Gold Partner Sponsorship - $10,000 Graciously supported by Voyage Wealth Architects
Blue Partner Sponsorship - $5,000 Graciously supported by Brighter Days Family Grief Center
Blue Partner Sponsorship - $5,000 Graciously supported by The Moss Pieratt Foundation
SUDC Star Sponsorship - $2,500 Graciously supported by the 4E Foundation
Community Partner Sponsorships
Graciously supported by Child Loss Foundation
Graciously supported by Invigorate Life Counseling
Graciously supported by Tree Of Life Art Therapy
If your organization is interested in learning more about one of the sponsorship packages above, please contact:
Liz Milliken at elizabeth@sudc.org.
Community Giving
Families First Sponsorship - $20,000
The Families First Sponsorship helps create a welcoming, supportive, and healing Retreat experience for every family in attendance. Your generosity offsets essential hospitality expenses, including family gathering meals, welcome bag materials, SUDC children’s photos, conference ribbons, and other thoughtful touches that foster connection, comfort, and community throughout the weekend.
Supporting these elements ensures that families feel cared for from the moment they arrive, allowing them to focus on learning, healing, honoring their children, and reconnecting with others who truly understand their journey.
This sponsorship also provides two full family scholarships, covering travel, hotel accommodations, retreat t-shirts, and additional expenses, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent families from participating.
In addition, the Families First Sponsorship underwrites the presentation of the Families First Award honoring Dr. Andrew Baker in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the SUDC community.
Funding need: $20,000 Graciously supported by Love Like Rosie
Unity Sponsorship - $20,000
The Unity Fund plays a crucial role in our commitment to inclusivity and equal access, ensuring that more members of the SUDC Foundation Community can take part in this profoundly transformative event.
The Unity Fund provides limited financial assistance to bereaved families toward the cost of airfare and hotel accommodations related to retreat travel. All registered parents/legal guardians, and grandparents experiencing financial hardship, are invited to request funds to help offset costs associated with lodging and travel expenses.
Funding need: $20,000 Graciously supported by Hayes LaMothe Foundation
Retreat Giving Fund - Every $1 Helps
Your gift to the Retreat Giving Fund helps enrich the lives of families navigating the unimaginable loss of a child. Your generosity makes it possible for SUDC families to come together for a meaningful weekend of remembrance, comfort, connection, and strength.
Every gift, at any level, helps create a special weekend where families can find understanding, share their stories, honor their children, and experience the comfort of being surrounded by others who truly understand.
Your support reminds every SUDC family they are not alone on this journey.
Funding Needed: Contributions in any dollar amount are greatly appreciated
Event Sponsors
Welcome Reception - $3,000
A warm welcome reception hosted amidst the soft lighting and warm décor with complimentary refreshments for all SUDC families attending the retreat weekend. The SUDC Foundation leadership will open the evening with a brief welcome and overview of activities for the weekend. Families will have the opportunity to connect and rekindle friendships with one another as they mingle amid the evening Bloomington skyline. This is an especially special time for SUDC siblings as they develop new connections with one another, making for an enjoyable weekend.
Funding need: $3,000 Graciously supported by the Rose Elizabeth Foundation
Friday Family Buffet Breakfast - $2,000
The start of a busy day filled with educational sessions and activities. Families will all gather to enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast comprised of midwestern heartland classics, complete with smokehouse bacon and Minnesota wild rice link sausag,e as they prepare for the busy day of emotionally uplifting and nurturing activities.
Funding need: $2,000
Friday Evening Pasta Party - $2,000
Families will enjoy a festive display of Italian style dinner options such as tomato, fresh mozzarella caprese, and grilled ravioli along with Minnesota-style pizza; a circular thin-crust pizza cut into squares, with spicy sauce and hearty toppings. Attendees will thoroughly enjoy the mascarpone tiramisu & cannoli!
Funding need: $2,000
Saturday Family Breakfast - $2,000
Families will enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast buttered hash brown potatoes, thick-cut Minnesota back bacon, buttermilk biscuits and country gravy as they prepare for a busy day of emotionally uplifting and restorative activities.
Funding need: $2,000
SUDC Community Gathering Dinner - $3,000
A fun and festive dinner for all attendees on Saturday evening to gather and share fond stories of reflection from the weekend events. Everyone will enjoy delicious early fall, cozy comfort foods like midwestern Hereford pot roast and rustic rhubarb skillet
cheesecake while surrounded by newfound friends and acquaintances.
Funding need: $3,000 Graciously supported by the Rose Elizabeth Foundation
Ice Cream Sundae Party - $1,000
Who doesn’t love ice cream! Following the SUDC children’s memorial tribute, families will enjoy creating their own Bananas Foster Sebastain Joe’s Vanilla Ice Cream sundaes topped with confectionary sweets, colorful toppings and whipped cream.
Funding need: $1,000 Graciously supported by the Rose Elizabeth Foundation
Farewell Sunday Brunch - $2,000
Farewell Sunday brunch is the conclusion of the retreat weekend. The brunch is our way of saying thank you to all the families who traveled to join us and for their participation in the weekend’s workshops and activities. Families will enjoy a delicious fusion of flavors from the waffle bar drizzled with local maple syrup and frosted cinnamon rolls while sharing best wishes with new friends until they all meet again.
Funding need: $2,000
Activity Sponsors
Siblings Structured Activities - $1500
These fun therapeutic activities, led by the Child Loss Foundation will help children explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through various creative modalities, such as visual arts, music, and movement. By engaging in artistic and creative activities, children can discover new ways of expressing themselves and of coping with any challenges they may be facing, and learn to find joy in their own creative self-expression.
Funding need: $1,500
Family Memorial Craft - $1,500
A warm and inviting creative activity space, SUDC families will gather together at their own time to lovingly prepare a handcrafted remembrance in special recognition of their SUDC child. This creative space offers an opportunity for quietly bonding with other families while remembering a special SUDC child. The crafts will be incorporated as part of the Ceremony of Light.
Funding need: $1,500 Graciously supported by Alexander’s Wish for Kids.
Ceremony of Light in Honor of SUDC Children - $1,500
Families will be invited to gather outdoors with all retreat attendees on Saturday evening, against the backdrop of the beautiful autumn leaves for a tender remembrance to commemorate and honor the memory of SUDC children gone too soon.
Funding need: $1,500 Graciously supported by the Ryan Mancini Charitable Foundation
Teens Night Out - $1,000
Grieving is normal and healthy yet may be an experience many teens resist and reject. The sense of being out of control is often a part of grief that may overwhelm or frighten some teens. An opportunity for teens to meet new friends and share experiences over some snacks and games, helping SUDC teens feel they are not alone in their grief journey.
Funding need: $1,000
Program Sponsors
Keynote Speaker - $2,500
The SUDC Foundation will host an established expert and leader in pediatric genetic research to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration in addressing the challenges of SUDC research. The presentation will explore the role of genetic sequencing and how this technology is advancing scientific understanding in the field. Additionally, it will provide insight into the parent’s journey, what’s involved, what to expect, and key questions to consider when deciding whether to participate in research.
Funding need: $2,500 Graciously supported by the Rose Elizabeth Foundation
Sibling Therapeutic Workshops - $1,500
Children ages 4-17 who are accompanying their parents over the weekend will have the opportunity to participate in their own age-appropriate therapeutic morning workshops led by Brighter Days Family Grief Center. Brighter Day’s team of skilled professionals is a lifeline for so many in their time of anguish. With a reputation built on personal experience, knowledge, dedication, and most of all compassion, they are the trusted partner of hospitals, hospices, schools, community foundations, and other non-profits. All participants will explore and express their emotions in a safe and supportive space, fostering understanding and connection among peers.
Funding need: $1,500
Children’s workshop age 4-8 Graciously supported by the Makaylen Mile, in memory of Makaylen Jaymes Plotz
Children’s workshop age 9-12 Graciously supported in memory of Payton Rose
Children’s workshop age 13+ Graciously supported by the Conrad McGovern Foundation
Therapeutic Parent Workshops - $1,500
These restorative experiences offer loved ones a nurturing space to find balance, encourage self-healing, and explore wellness-based therapies that support emotional and physical well-being. Professionally led workshops, reinforcing evidence-based strategies while offering opportunities for reflection through guided breathwork, and a sound bath. Both are deeply immersive and are designed to activate the body’s relaxation response, helping to reduce stress and anxiety while supporting the processing and release of stored trauma. Retreat participants will also be introduced to Havening, a gentle psychosensory technique that uses touch, focused attention, and imagination to promote healing and create positive emotional change. Workshops facilitated by Melanie MP Vinton, MA LMFT, Devin Hendrickson, MSW, LICSW, and Helen Buron, Practitioner.
Funding need: $1,500 Graciously Supported by the Shenk-Genshaft Family in memory of Max Shenk Genshaft
Grandparents Workshop - $1,000
The relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild is very special and unique. When a grandchild dies, the grief associated with the loss is often so intense and painful, it leaves bereaved grandparents feeling hopeless as they experience what many refer to as a double loss. Not only do they mourn for their grandchild, but they may also feel a sense of helplessness because they are unable to take away the pain felt by the parents of their grandchild, one of whom is their own child. The workshop led by a professional from Brighter Days Family Grief Center is an opportunity for grandparents to meet one another, share perspectives, and learn techniques for managing this double grief.
Funding need: $1,000 Graciously supported by the Coleman Family in memory of Logan Coleman
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