Grass Lake Sanctuary

What Grass Lake Sanctuary does

Grass Lake Sanctuary is a 145-acre nature sanctuary and retreat center located at 18580 Grass Lake Road in Manchester, Michigan. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) Michigan nonprofit, founded in July 2007 by volunteers led by Founder/Chairperson Brenda Morgan PhD, and opened to the community in 2021. It stewards 100 acres of public park land (the Clark and Avis Spike Preserve) through a partnership with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission while reserving 45 acres for private nonprofit retreat space containing a modern conference center, six insulated cabins with screened porches, a historic Conversation Cabin with campfire area, and a tree house above Oasis Pond. The land features second-generation oak savannah, vintage prairie, wetlands, meadows, woodlands, streams, and organic gardens.

The organization delivers three core retreat programs: Women's Wellness Retreats for breast cancer survivors (three-day structured programs with women's circles, movement therapies, therapeutic massage, and self-care tools, with scholarships for uninsured/limited-income applicants); Family Matters Retreats for families of cancer survivors focused on reconnection and trauma release; and Sanctuary Experience Personal Growth Retreats led by Founder Morgan. A year-round, free Peer-to-Peer Support Circle and Peer Mentorship Training program sustains an alumni community of breast cancer survivors. Through the Unplugged@The Sanctuary sub-brand (created 2020, operated in partnership with Ann Arbor Real Estate Associates), the sanctuary leases the property for weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, holiday parties, and celebrations, while Hearts In Nature coordinates organic wedding ceremonies. Land stewardship and volunteer programs support invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and habitat creation across all 145 acres.

The business model blends three revenue streams: paid retreat and program fees (including scholarships for cancer survivors), event/venue leasing income through Unplugged@The Sanctuary, and tax-deductible donations processed via the Gyve philanthropy platform including a sponsor-a-survivor initiative. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on alumni peer referrals among breast cancer survivor networks, word-of-mouth testimonials, a content-marketing website, a Facebook presence (GLSSanctuary), email mailing lists, partner outreach via the Children & Nature Network (board member Avery Cleary), and volunteer-driven awareness. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled by direct contact via phone (734-726-0290) and email. Primary customer segments are breast cancer survivors (primary), families of cancer survivors, individuals seeking personal growth, corporate/event clients, community volunteers, and general public preserve visitors; geographic focus is southeast Michigan and the Great Lakes Region, within one hour of Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Name

Grass Lake Sanctuary

Legal name

Grass Lake Sanctuary

Website

https://grasslakesanctuary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grass Lake Sanctuary is a 145-acre 501(c)(3) nature sanctuary and retreat center in Manchester, Michigan serving breast cancer survivors, families, individuals seeking personal growth, and corporate/event clients through retreat programs, event leasing, and community land stewardship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature-Based Wellness Retreat Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAGAOAE

Eco-Camps & Sustainable Camping Retreats

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Camping & Glamping Facilities

SECONDARYTHAMAJAK

Eco/Nature-Based Campgrounds (Sustainable/Off-Grid)

Travel & Hospitality/Vacation Rentals & Short-Term Stays/Campgrounds, Glamping & RV Parks

Keywords

• Nature retreat center
• Wellness retreat programs
• Cancer survivor retreats
• Event venue rental
• Land stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retreat and Program Fees: Revenue generated from paid retreat programs including Women's Wellness Retreats for breast cancer survivors, Family Matters Retreats, and Personal Growth/Sanctuary Experience Retreats. These multi-day programs include accommodations, meals, and structured wellness activities.
2. Event and Venue Leasing: Revenue from leasing the facility for weddings, celebrations, corporate meetings, conferences, holiday parties, and other events through the Unplugged@The Sanctuary program managed by Ann Arbor Real Estate Associates.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are processed through the Gyve platform and support programs including sponsor-a-survivor initiatives. Full and partial scholarships are available for breast cancer survivor retreats.
4. Peer-to-Peer Support Program: Free year-round Peer Mentorship Training opportunities for breast cancer survivor alumni, with ongoing support circles. This alumni engagement program maintains community connection while creating referral pathways for new participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grass Lake Sanctuary is a 145-acre 501(c)(3) nonprofit nature sanctuary and retreat center in Manchester, Michigan that hosts multi-day wellness retreats (including women's wellness, family matters, and personal growth programs), rents its grounds for private events such as weddings and corporate gatherings, and operates land stewardship programs focused on conservation of the property.

Product overview

Grass Lake Sanctuary is a 145-acre nature sanctuary and retreat center in Manchester, Michigan offering a portfolio of wellness and nature-based programs. The core offerings include Women's Wellness Retreats for Breast Cancer Survivors, Family Matters Retreats, and Sanctuary Experience Personal Growth Retreats. The sanctuary also operates Unplugged@The Sanctuary for event services including weddings, meetings, and celebrations. Additional offerings include Land Stewardship volunteer programs and Peer-to-Peer Support Circles for retreat alumni. All programs emphasize nature-based healing, relationship building, organic food, and wellness services such as massage and movement therapies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Unplugged@The Sanctuary: Created in 2020 to manage the leasing and hospitality services of Grass Lake Sanctuary.

Products and services

• Women's Wellness Retreats

Quantifiable outcome

• Research has shown taking time for a retreat in nature to be powerfully healing, helping participants release stress and regain life-balance and a sense of renewed joy and enthusiasm for living.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2007Grass Lake Sanctuary entered a unique partnership with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission to better serve the land and community. The 145-acre sanctuary is divided into two parts: 100 acres designated as Clark and Avis Spike Preserve (public park land), and 45 acres of dedicated nonprofit retreat space. GLS volunteers and staff care for all 145 acres. The partnership allows public access to wetlands, trails, and boardwalks while maintaining private retreat facilities.
• GyvecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGyve powers the donation processing for Grass Lake Sanctuary, enabling tax-deductible donations at gyve.io/give/grasslakesanctuary. Gyve is a philanthropy platform that helps connect donors with charitable organizations, facilitating the sponsor-a-survivor program and general donations.
• Unplugged@The Sanctuary / Ann Arbor Real Estate AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreated in 2020, Unplugged@The Sanctuary manages the leasing and hospitality services for Grass Lake Sanctuary events. Partnership with Ann Arbor Real Estate Associates coordinates venue bookings for weddings, celebrations, corporate meetings, conferences, holiday parties, classes, and seminars. Contact via [email protected].
• Clark & Avis Spike PreservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 100-acre public park component of the sanctuary, honoring retired Eastern Michigan University chemistry professor Clark Spike and his wife Avis who owned and cared for the land for decades. The preserve maintains public access to wetlands, trails, and boardwalks, with Grass Lake Sanctuary volunteers and staff maintaining all 145 acres of the combined property.
• Hearts In NatureminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWedding and engagement ceremony planning service associated with Grass Lake Sanctuary, accessible at heartsinnaturegls.org. Provides curated organic wedding experiences in natural outdoor ceremony sites within the sanctuary grounds.
• Children & Nature NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Avery Cleary serves as Director of Grassroots Outreach and Engagement for the Children & Nature Network, a global organization focused on connecting children and families with nature. This connection provides strategic alignment and community-building resources.
• NerdyMind MarketingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCustom web design and development firm that created and maintains the Grass Lake Sanctuary website (grasslakesanctuary.org), providing digital platform infrastructure for the organization's online presence.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Canyon Ranch: Pioneering destination wellness resort brand offering multi-day wellness retreats with nature experiences, healthy cuisine, and therapeutic programming. Comparable as a broader wellness retreat incumbent, but commercial and upscale rather than nonprofit/scholarship-based.
• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: Nonprofit educational retreat center offering workshops and wellness programs on a nature preserve in Rhinebeck, NY. Directly comparable as a nonprofit retreat operator combining nature-based programming, workshops, and on-site accommodations.
• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Largest yoga and holistic-health retreat center in the United States, offering multi-day wellness retreats on a nature-rich campus. Broader incumbent that overlaps with Grass Lake Sanctuary's wellness retreat, women's circles, and personal growth programming, though Kripalu operates at far greater national scale.
• Miraval Resorts: Upscale destination wellness resorts offering nature-based programming, spa, mindfulness, and outdoor activities. Comparable at the wellness retreat / nature-therapy category level but operates as a premium commercial brand rather than a nonprofit.
• Esalen Institute: Iconic 50+ year old holistic retreat center offering workshops, personal growth programs, and nature-based experiences. Comparable as a long-tenured nonprofit-style retreat operator focused on personal transformation and human potential.

Direct peers

• Project Koru: Nonprofit offering free outdoor adventure retreats for young adult cancer survivors, very comparable to Grass Lake Sanctuary's scholarship-funded, nature-based wellness retreats for breast cancer survivors. Both rely on donations, alumni communities, and peer mentorship to serve post-treatment survivor populations.
• Camp Kesem: Nonprofit operating free summer camps and year-round support for children and families affected by a parent's cancer. Directly comparable in serving cancer-affected families through nature-based, scholarship-funded experiences and in operating as a volunteer-driven nonprofit with collegiate chapter networks.
• First Descents: National nonprofit providing free outdoor adventure experiences for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Directly comparable donor- and volunteer-supported retreat model, with similar scholarship-funded programming and year-round community engagement.
• Epic Experience: Nonprofit hosting free outdoor retreats for adult cancer survivors in a wilderness setting, with year-round community programming. Directly analogous to Grass Lake Sanctuary's retreat-based, survivor-focused wellness model.
• Commonweal: Nonprofit health and environmental institute offering the Cancer Help Program retreats for people with cancer. Direct mission overlap with Grass Lake Sanctuary's breast cancer survivor programming in a nonprofit, retreat-based, nature-anchored model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/grasslakesanctuary
• Xx.com/glsanctuary

Compliance1 record

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

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grass Lake Sanctuary