Become a Grateful Gathering Host
Hosting and participating in Grateful Gatherings has helped me feel like I do make a difference in the world. I feel like this is one way to help change the consciousness of the human world from competition and survival to collaboration, learning, and compassion. I experience genuine contentment in that.
Alicia A., Grateful Gatherings Host
Looking for a new way to make a meaningful contribution in challenging times? Skilled at hosting vibrant conversations or eager to learn how? Interested in deepening your gratefulness practice in community with others? Join our global network of trained Grateful Gatherings Hosts!
What Are Grateful Gatherings?
Imagine groups of people gathered around kitchen tables, in conference rooms or places of worship, at coffee shops, or online — all deep in conversation about awe or joy, imperfection or belonging, grief or play. This is what Grateful Gatherings look like! The Gatherings take place around the globe and are hosted by our trained volunteers. Using the monthly resources we provide, Gatherings yield meaningful conversation, community connection, inspiration, and practices for living gratefully. Learn more here.
As a result of Grateful Gatherings, participants and hosts report:
- 89%: more joy!
- 96%: more grateful for life
- 93%: able to recognize how gratitude helps navigate challenges
- 91%: greater overall well-being
Are you part of an organization looking for a new, dynamic program? If you’re looking for an inspirational program to ignite a sense of belonging and meaning in your community or workplace, Grateful Gatherings offer exactly that, and more. Grateful Gatherings are now thriving in community centers, places of worship, retirement communities, government agencies, and retreat centers — offering an increased sense of connection and meaning. Reach out to us directly to inquire about training a group of hosts or with any questions you may have about launching a Gathering at the organizational level: [email protected].
What Does It Mean to Host?
Our global network of Grateful Gatherings hosts is comprised of trained volunteers who bring together groups of people to explore the principles and practices of living gratefully. The role of the host is to create an inviting and trustworthy space in which people can have meaningful conversations, connect with one another, get a dose of inspiration, and leave with a gratefulness practice to use in daily life. We provide monthly themed resources to all hosts, including discussion questions and a mix of poetry, video, essays, and music.
What makes Grateful Gatherings unique is the emphasis on experience and openness. We don’t expect other participants to believe in a religious doctrine or follow a specific teacher or have knowledge about a specific topic. This creates an atmosphere of equality where each participant can speak from their heart and experience.
John C., Grateful Gatherings Host
How Can I Become a Host?
If you’ve gotten to this point and found yourself thinking, “This is for me, I can’t wait!,” we’d love for you to be part of our next host training. Our Grateful Gatherings Host Training is open to all who are passionate about having deep conversations that yield greater meaning, purpose, and joy in life and who have the space and time to help others do the same. There’s a simple application process for our twice-yearly training.
What Is Required?
- Availability to complete the training, on your own schedule, between January 21 – February 10, 2026
- Ability to launch your Grateful Gathering sometime in March 2026 at the date and time of your choosing
- Capacity to convene a starting group of at least 3-4 individuals
- A one-year commitment to hosting your monthly Grateful Gathering; we estimate that this takes 3-4 hours per month for preparation, hosting a 60-90 minute session, and follow-up
- Ability to attend at least 3 out of 4 quarterly, one-hour host meetings via Zoom (2026 dates: January 27, April 28, July 28, and October 27)
- Facilitation experience or the openness to learn
- Enthusiasm for developing or deepening a practice of living gratefully
- Desire to create an inviting, trusting, and joyful space for meaningful conversation with others
How Long Is the Training?
The Grateful Gathering Host Training is completed asynchronously — at your own pace and on you own schedule — during a 2 to 3-week training window (see dates above), culminating in a live session with our team and the rest of the training cohort. Participants have access to the entire training at once so you can go at your own pace during the three weeks. We estimate the training will take about five hours total.
What Does the Training Include?
- Introduction to our organization’s mission and the practice of living gratefully
- The vision for Grateful Gatherings
- Exploration of the monthly resources & facilitation guides
- How to navigate the Community Platform
- Facilitation guidelines and strategies
- Host responsibilities and agreements
- Support, camaraderie, and connection!
What Sort of Ongoing Support Is There?
In addition to the training, we provide:
- Robust monthly resources, rooted in spiritual wisdom, scholarship, and research
- A digital toolkit of resources for hosting and group facilitation
- Quarterly online host meetings
- Access to our Community Platform where you can connect with other hosts and the Grateful Living team
Ready to become a host? Our next Host Training begins January 21. Fill out the form below to register!
Note: Due to overwhelming demand outpacing our resources, this training round is limited to 50 participants.
A Grateful Living profile is required to register for the host training. Please log in or create a free profile to continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hosting a one to two-hour Gathering each month; length of time can vary depending on whether you host online, in person, at home, at work, etc.
One to two hours of preparation in advance of your Gathering to review all of the materials for the month, prepare your agenda, set the stage, and maintain communication with the participants in your group.
Yes. Many people host on their own and many have a co-host. All co-hosts must complete the training, whether joining you from the start or at a later date.
This is up to you. You can host a closed Gathering with an invited circle of friends, family, or colleagues, or you can open your Gathering to people in your community or beyond, if hosting online. We provide guidance about this in the training.
Grateful Gatherings take place online and in homes, workplaces, spiritual organizations, libraries, parks, and by the beach! You choose where to host your Gathering so that it sets the stage for the vibrant and engaging dynamic you want to create. It’s also fine to rotate your location.
We provide robust monthly resources and suggestions for your agenda. We also encourage you to host your Gathering in the way that is most energizing and joyful for you and your participants.
Yes! The training includes facilitation principles and strategies, and we share a set of group norms and expectations with all registered participants. In addition to the training, we provide ongoing resources for all hosts, including a monthly facilitation guide, quarterly host meetings, and easy interaction with the Grateful Living team and other hosts.
The training sessions are offered through our Community Platform and consist of short videos and accompanying resources. The training can be completed at one’s own pace during the training window.
No. We offer the training at no cost so that it is accessible to all. Our only expectation is that participants enter the training with the intention of launching a group upon completion.
Grateful Gatherings must be offered free of charge. If you decide to pool resources with your participants to provide refreshments or rent a venue, that’s a decision your group can make together, but hosts may not charge for participation.
We require a one-year commitment to hosting your monthly Grateful Gathering. Our hope is that each new group takes on a vibrancy and energy that serves as the fuel for ongoing connection. Some of our current groups have been meeting monthly since the program was originally launched five years ago!