Abbey of the Hills
Abbey of the Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inn and retreat center in rural Marvin, South Dakota, founded by monks in 1963. It offers overnight lodging, group retreat and event hosting, and spiritual programming funded by fees and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersMarvin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Abbey of the Hills does
Abbey of the Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1963 by Benedictine monks and located in Marvin, South Dakota. It operates an inn, retreat center, and event venue on a single rural prairie site, offering overnight lodging, group retreat and event hosting (meetings, concerts, weddings, 12-step programs, marriage retreats, family/class reunions, corporate meetings), and a spiritual pilgrimage experience called the Abbey Pilgrimage of Hope. A daily 3pm prayer request service and virtual video tours support the core hospitality offerings.
The organization generates revenue through three streams: overnight accommodation bookings, event and retreat hosting fees, and charitable contributions including the Gift of Peace Campaign, Capital Campaign, and Endowment Giving. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with bookings handled through direct website inquiry. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth referrals, testimonials, email newsletters, and active Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels, supplemented by an Amazon Wish List for in-kind donor support.
The Abbey is staffed by 1-10 employees and governed by a Board of Directors under a typical small nonprofit ownership structure. Its competitive positioning rests on a 60+ year monastic heritage, an ecumenical mission welcoming all faiths, and a scenic distraction-free prairie setting, rather than on proprietary technology or scale advantages. There are no disclosed subsidiaries, funding rounds, patents, or strategic partnerships.
Abbey of the Hills firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Abbey of the Hills
- Legal name
- Abbey of the Hills
- Website
- https://abbeyofthehills.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Abbey of the Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inn and retreat center in rural Marvin, South Dakota, founded by monks in 1963. It offers overnight lodging, group retreat and event hosting, and spiritual programming funded by fees and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Abbey of the Hills industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retreat Center Hospitality
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Conference Retreat Hotels (THAGALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)
Keywords
Where Abbey of the Hills is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marvin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Abbey of the Hills business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Lodging and Overnight Stays: The Abbey generates revenue through overnight accommodation bookings for individuals and groups visiting for retreats, reunions, or personal getaways.
- Event and Retreat Hosting: Revenue is generated from hosting group events, retreats, meetings, concerts, holiday parties, lectures, and dinners throughout the year.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Abbey relies on donor support through the Gift of Peace Campaign, Capital Campaign, Endowment Giving, and general donations to sustain operations and maintain grounds and facilities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Abbey of the Hills product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Abbey of the Hills operates a nonprofit inn and retreat center on a rural South Dakota prairie, providing overnight lodging accommodations, group event and retreat hosting services (including meetings, weddings, concerts, and reunions), and the Abbey Pilgrimage of Hope spiritual experience. It also maintains a daily 3pm prayer request program and offers virtual video tours of the grounds. Revenue is supplemented by donor contributions through its Gift of Peace and Capital Campaigns.
Product overview
Abbey of the Hills is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Inn & Retreat Center offering a unified hospitality service centered on spiritual peace and reflection. The core offerings include overnight lodging accommodations, event and retreat hosting services (for meetings, concerts, weddings, and group gatherings), and the Abbey Pilgrimage of Hope spiritual experience. Supporting services include a daily prayer request program and virtual video tours. Fundraising initiatives include the Gift of Peace Campaign (annual operational support) and Capital Campaign (facility improvements). The organization serves visitors of all faiths seeking refuge, renewal, and peace in a prairie setting.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Overnight Stays / Lodging Guest lodging accommodations for individuals and small groups visiting for retreats, reunions, or personal getaways, set in peaceful prairie surroundings with rooms for rest and reflection.
- Events & Retreat Hosting Planning and hosting services for group meetings, retreats, concerts, holiday parties, lectures, weddings, and dinners throughout the year.
- Abbey Pilgrimage of Hope A spiritual pilgrimage experience offered by the Abbey for visitors seeking peace and reflection, centered on the site's heritage and natural prairie setting.
Companies that use Abbey of the Hills
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Abbey of the Hills technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Abbey of the Hills partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Abbey of the Hills competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Mount Angel Abbey: Benedictine monastery in Oregon with retreat programs and guest lodging. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its Benedictine origin, monastic tradition, and rural retreat setting — though located on the West Coast rather than the Plains.
- St. Benedict's Monastery: Benedictine monastery in Snowmass, CO offering retreats and spiritual hospitality. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its Benedictine roots, monastic heritage, and retreat/lodging offerings in a rural mountain setting.
Direct peers
- Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House: Catholic retreat house offering group retreats, days of reflection, and overnight lodging. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its small faith-rooted team, organized retreat programming, and event hosting for external groups.
- Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center: Catholic retreat center hosting organized group retreats, days of reflection, and overnight lodging in a peaceful rural setting. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its faith-rooted retreat programming, event hosting, and small staff model.
- Genesis Spiritual Life Center: Non-denominational retreat center in Westfield, MA offering group retreats, spiritual programming, and lodging. Directly comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its ecumenical framing, multi-segment retreat offerings, and emphasis on peace and reflection.
- Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House: Jesuit retreat house offering preached retreats, spiritual direction, and overnight accommodations. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its monastic/Jesuit foundation, spiritual programming focus, and reliance on retreat group bookings.
- Wilderness Ridge Retreat Center: Christian retreat center offering conferences, group retreats, and overnight accommodations in a rural setting. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its rural location, group-retreat orientation, and faith-based nonprofit model.
- Sky Ranch Christian Camps: Faith-based nonprofit organization offering retreat camps, conferences, and lodging across multiple locations. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its nonprofit mission, faith-rooted programming, and event/retreat hosting model.
- Holy Cross Retreat Center: Retreat center offering individual and group retreats, spiritual formation, and conference hosting. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its multi-track programming (spiritual, recovery, group retreats) and faith-based nonprofit operation.
- Jesuit Retreat House of Denver: Jesuit retreat house offering guided retreats, parish retreats, and overnight stays. Comparable to Abbey of the Hills in its retreat-led hospitality model, faith-rooted programming, and emphasis on silence and reflection.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Abbey of the Hills social profiles
Digital presenceAbbey of the Hills financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Abbey of the Hills leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Abbey of the Hills funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Abbey of the Hills M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Abbey of the Hills
What does Abbey of the Hills do?
Abbey of the Hills operates a nonprofit inn and retreat center on a rural South Dakota prairie, providing overnight lodging accommodations, group event and retreat hosting services (including meetings, weddings, concerts, and reunions), and the Abbey Pilgrimage of Hope spiritual experience. It also maintains a daily 3pm prayer request program and offers virtual video tours of the grounds. Revenue is supplemented by donor contributions through its Gift of Peace and Capital Campaigns.
Is Abbey of the Hills a public or private company?
Abbey of the Hills is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Abbey of the Hills founded?
Abbey of the Hills was founded in 1963. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Abbey of the Hills based?
Abbey of the Hills is headquartered in Marvin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Abbey of the Hills make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lodging and Overnight Stays are the primary driver. The others are event and Retreat Hosting and donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are Abbey of the Hills's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Mount Angel Abbey and St. Benedict's Monastery. Direct peers are Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House, Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center, Genesis Spiritual Life Center, Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Wilderness Ridge Retreat Center, Sky Ranch Christian Camps, Holy Cross Retreat Center and Jesuit Retreat House of Denver.
Does Abbey of the Hills have an API?
No public API is recorded for Abbey of the Hills.
What industry is Abbey of the Hills in?
Abbey of the Hills's product category is Retreat Center Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGALAG, Conference Retreat Hotels, with a secondary code of BPAGAJAL, Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.