Ruby for Good Announces 2026 Retreat with Tiered Ticket Model to Fund Scholarships

Ruby for Good 2026 Retreat

From August 27 pm to August 30 pm, 2026 the Ruby for Good community will meet at the Shepherd’s Spring Retreat Center outside Washington, DC. The four‑day event blends a low‑key campground vibe with focused development sprints, aiming to produce open‑source tools for nonprofits and other social‑sector groups.

The problem they’re tackling

Non‑profits often lack the technical resources to build or maintain software that could streamline their operations, improve outreach, or protect vulnerable populations. Ruby for Good brings together developers, designers, and product thinkers who volunteer their time to create usable, maintainable solutions. By concentrating effort over a weekend, the retreat accelerates the prototype‑to‑production pipeline that would otherwise stretch over months with limited staff.

Funding model and scholarship focus

Ticket pricing is deliberately structured to generate a surplus for scholarships:

• Early‑bird registration – $375 (ends June 11). Attendees receive shared lodging, meals, snacks, swag, karaoke, and the chance to network with peers. Any amount paid beyond $375 is funneled into a scholarship pool.
• Regular registration – $450 (ends July 21). Same benefits, higher base price, and the same surplus contribution.
• Company‑paid registration – $550. Designed for corporate teams that want to cover the cost for their employees while still supporting the scholarship fund.
• Direct scholarship donation – an optional contribution that goes straight to covering attendance for developers who cannot afford the base price.

The model reflects a pragmatic approach: the event must cover venue, food, and swag costs, but the organizers have built a margin into each tier to subsidize those who would otherwise be excluded. Past retreats have awarded over 30 scholarships, and the 2026 cohort aims to double that number.

What participants get

• All‑inclusive lodging in shared cabins or tents, fostering informal collaboration.
• Three meals per day plus snacks to keep energy levels high during coding sprints.
• Swag and evening activities such as karaoke and s’mores, which help build community bonds.
• Access to mentors from the Ruby ecosystem and nonprofit sector experts who can guide project scoping and sustainability.

Expected outcomes

Projects built during the retreat are released under open‑source licenses, ensuring that the tools remain free for any organization to adopt and improve. This open‑source pipeline creates a virtuous cycle: nonprofits benefit now, and future contributors can extend the codebase, reducing duplication of effort across the sector.

Logistics and contact

• Venue: Shepherd’s Spring, 16869 Taylors Landing Road, Sharpsburg, MD 21782.
• Refund policy: No refunds after June 7; transfers are permitted through July 20.
• Contact: [email protected]

The retreat illustrates how a modest ticket structure can sustain a community‑driven effort while expanding access through scholarships. By aligning the financial model with its mission, Ruby for Good keeps the focus on building technology that makes a tangible difference for the organizations that need it most.