UU SGM Network

What UU SGM Network does

UU SGM Network (legal name: UU Small Group Ministry Network) is a non-profit grassroots organization headquartered in Litchfield, Maine, that serves as the primary clearinghouse and networking hub for Unitarian Universalist congregations practicing small group ministry (also called Covenant Groups). Founded in June 2004 and recognized as an Associate Member Organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 2007, the network distributes a comprehensive library of session plans, articles, and publications contributed by UU congregations and facilitators. Its core products include the SGM Journal (an annual publication distributed to members), Covenant Group News (a free electronic newsletter with 730+ subscribers), an online resource directory containing hundreds of articles, and a members-only section providing access to exclusive resources and contact information for network members.

The organization operates a content and resource-sharing website (smallgroupministry.net) as its primary technological platform, hosting session plans as PDFs, articles, and publications. There is no proprietary technology, mobile app, or API infrastructure. Distribution occurs through the website (self-serve), email newsletter, a Facebook group (250+ members), Twitter, and in-person events including the annual Summer Institute and regional facilitator training workshops held at UU-affiliated retreat centers across the U.S.

The business model combines multiple revenue streams typical of small non-profit membership organizations: individual memberships at $40/year, congregational memberships at $100/year, event registration fees ($15-$400 per event), publication sales, and donations. The customer base consists entirely of UU congregations, SGM coordinators and facilitators, individual UU members, and religious educators, with no diversification beyond the Unitarian Universalist denomination. The network is led by Rev. Helen Zidowecki (President) and was co-founded by Rev. M'ellen Kennedy, Peter Bowden, and Rev. Bob Hill.

Name

UU SGM Network

Legal name

UU Small Group Ministry Network

Website

https://smallgroupministry.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The UU SGM Network is a non-profit grassroots organization that provides session plans, publications, facilitator training, and networking resources for Unitarian Universalist congregations practicing small group ministry and covenant groups across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Litchfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Individual membership at $40/year and congregational membership at $100/year provide access to member-exclusive resources, networking sections, and support for the network's operations.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from workshop and institute registrations including the annual Summer Institute ($350-$400), facilitator training workshops ($25-$75 per person), and regional events with varying fees.
3. Publications Sales: Sale of books including 'Unitarian Universalist Small Group Ministry' published in June 2008, and other resource materials for sale on the website.
4. Donations: The network accepts donations through PayPal and check to support resource development, workshops, and training materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The UU SGM Network provides Unitarian Universalist congregations and individual members with a centralized library of small group ministry session plans, an annual SGM Journal, the Covenant Group News e-newsletter, an online resource directory, facilitator training workshops, and annual Summer Institutes. It operates a paid membership program (individual and congregational tiers) that unlocks member-exclusive resources, member directories, and consultation services, and supports the development and sharing of UU-specific small group ministry programming across the U.S.

Product overview

The UU Small Group Ministry Network is a grassroots organization that provides resources, publications, and networking for Unitarian Universalist congregations practicing small group ministry (also called Covenant Groups). The network offers a collection of session plans contributed by congregations, publishes the SGM Journal (formerly SGM Quarterly) with articles and resources, distributes the free Covenant Group News e-newsletter to over 730 subscribers, and maintains an online resource directory. Membership provides access to additional resources and a members-only section. The network also facilitates connections through a Facebook group and annual events like the Small Group Ministry Institute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Covenant Group News (CGN): Free electronic newsletter on Small Group Ministry read by over 730 Unitarian Universalists, originally created by Rev. Bob Hill in 1998 and distributed by the UU Small Group Ministry Network.
• SGM Journal

Products and services

• Small Group Ministry Session Plans Directory A searchable directory of session plans contributed by congregations and individuals for small group ministry sessions, organized by title, date, source, and topic, including curated collections on themes such as mental health and 30 topics for small groups. Available free on the network's website.
• SGM Journal (formerly SGM Quarterly) An annual journal of the UU Small Group Ministry Network containing articles, tips, and resources on Unitarian Universalist small group ministry and covenant groups, distributed to network members with past issues archived on the website.
• Covenant Group News (CGNews) e-Newsletter A free electronic newsletter on Small Group Ministry containing news, information, and events on Covenant Group and Small Group Ministry, read by over 730 Unitarian Universalists.
• Online Resource Directory A free online clearinghouse of hundreds of articles on small group ministry topics including Overview, Programming, Oversight, Group Leadership, Sessions, Service, and Visibility, searchable by title, author, source, and topic.
• Consulting Services Consulting services offered to UU congregations and individuals for small group ministry program development, provided as a member benefit and to the broader UU community.
• Resources for Sale (Publications and Books) Publications and books for sale on the network's website, including the foundational text 'Unitarian Universalist Small Group Ministry' published in June 2008 and other resource materials.
• Summer Institute and Regional Training Workshops Annual multi-day Summer Institute ($350-$400) and regional facilitator training workshops ($25-$75 per person) providing hands-on small group ministry training, with member and early-bird discounts, held at UU conference centers and churches across the U.S.
• UU Mental Health Network Collection A curated collection of small-group session plans on mental health topics launched by the Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network, designed to empower a supportive Beloved Community using UU values.
• SGM Network Facebook Group A Facebook community group with over 250 members for asking questions, sharing Small Group Ministry work, and receiving information from other participants.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UU SGM Network is an independent organization recognized as an Associate Member Organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The network interacts with congregations and the Association to support small group ministry development.
• Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist ChurchcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHost of the 2016 SGM Institute with 30 participants from 9 congregations. Partnership between TVUUC and the UUSGM Network described as a model to replicate.
• Camp deBenneville PinesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRetreat and conference center in San Bernardino National Forest (Angelus Oaks, CA) affiliated with Pacific Southwest District of UUA. Hosted Summer Institutes in 2010, 2011.
• The Mountain Retreat & Learning CentersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRetreat center in Highlands, NC. Hosted SGM Institutes in 2008 and 2009 with participants from 24 congregations.
• Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRetreat center in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Hosted 2013 Summer Institute.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): The UUA is the national denominational body that the UU SGM Network is affiliated with as an Associate Member Organization. It governs the broader UU ecosystem (congregations, credentialing, programming) within which small group ministry operates, making it the closest institutional analog even though its scope is much wider than the network's SGM-only focus.
• The Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Based at Wesley Theological Seminary, the Lewis Center produces research, webinars, and resources to help United Methodist and broader mainline congregations strengthen ministry and small group life. Its content-and-consulting model for faith leaders is structurally similar to UUSGMN's, though it serves a wider Methodist context.

Direct peers

• Alban Institute: Alban Institute was a long-standing ecumenical consulting and publishing organization that served mainline Protestant congregations with resources on leadership, small groups, and congregational renewal. Its mission and resource-publishing model closely parallel what the UU SGM Network provides within the UU tradition.
• Renovaré: Renovaré is a Christian spiritual formation organization that offers cohorts, study guides, retreats, and resources to support deeper spiritual practice in congregations and small groups. Its blend of curated curriculum, facilitator training, and small-group resources closely mirrors the UU SGM Network's offerings.
• Center for Progressive Christianity: A progressive, theologically open Christian network providing articles, curriculum, and community resources to congregations and seekers. Its target audience and tone align with the UU SGM Network's liberal faith community, making it a comparable peer for spiritual exploration and small group resource publishing.

Others

• Church Publishing Incorporated: The official publisher of the Episcopal Church, producing curriculum, worship resources, and small group study materials for congregational use. While it operates at the scale of a major denomination rather than a niche network, its function as a denominational resource and curriculum publisher overlaps with the UU SGM Network's publication and session plan distribution.
• Faith & Leadership magazine: A Duke Divinity School-funded online magazine delivering articles, videos, and resources for faith leaders on preaching, worship, and small group ministry. Its content-and-community model for clergy and lay leaders is comparable to UUSGMN's CGNews and SGM Journal offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/UUSGMN
• Facebookfacebook.com/uusgmn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UU SGM Network