FAQs about The Dinner Party’s Closure

On March 27th, 2026 we announced the official intent to sunset The Dinner Party (read the letter from the Executive Director here). We know this impacts different members of the community in different ways. Here, we’ll update with more information as we move toward closure and honor our legacy.

Why did this happen?

In short: the continued race against recurring funding gaps has led us to make the tough decision to end well rather than compromise the quality of our connections and programming.


For more information, you can read the full letter from our Executive Director here.

I’m still waiting to get connected. Is there any way that can still happen?

If you want to guarantee your connection to fellow grievers, attend a 90-minute virtual Host Training in April. We’ll equip you with everything you need to start a Table.


We are asking all of our current Tables if they have any seats available, and if they do, they'll be opening up their groups to new Dinner Partiers (like you) through our community platform. Our staff capacity for outreach will be limited, so please do your best to visit our community platform often, and make sure you’re subscribed to our community so our outreach emails can reach you.

There will be a final matching of The Buddy System, with submissions due by Monday, April 27th. 


Over the coming weeks, we will also be finding creative and grassroots ways to connect as many people as we can, including identifying local Host captains who might set up their own ways of staying connected.

I have room at my Table and want to help make room for grievers before TDP closes.

Please go here for instructions on how to post your Table on our community platform so that grievers craving connection can join.

I don’t have room at my Table right now, but I might soon? Can I be connected with waitlisters?

If you’re interested in helping us to connect as many folks as possible in your area, affinity, or otherwise, please email aggie@thedinnerparty.org. We’re exploring other options and we’d love to have your help!

What does this mean for my Table or Buddy?

If you’re already connected, you get to stay connected! That’s the magic of this organization, where the relationships are held amongst each of you as peers. While the availability of staff support will be going away, we are doing our best to make resources (like our conversation prompts, guides, and other tools) available to you all as long as possible.

If you have any capacity to support the work of ending this organization as gracefully as possible including: preserving resources, keeping the community supported, and connecting other waitlisters, please consider donating to our sunset campaign.

Can I still start a Table?

Yes! We have virtual Host Trainings offered throughout April, we hope to see you there. Sign up here.

Is there anything we can do to help?

First, we’re immensely grateful that you’re asking this question. Here are two ways you can help out:

For any big ideas, please reach out to executivedirector@thedinnerparty.org.

What happens to my membership?

Your support is still greatly needed and appreciated as we work to end well. Membership payments and donations will go towards keeping resources available, community supported as long as possible, and as many waitlisters connected before our official closure. 

The exact timeline of our final closure is still being determined, but we will keep you updated as things progress. At that time, we will cancel all memberships.

With that said, you are, as always, cancel your membership or recurring donation at any time. To do so, head to your profile on our community platform. If you need help navigating our membership portal, here’s a guide we put together.

What happens to my recurring donation?

Right now, we are using your recurring donation towards helping us close well, connect as many people on the waitlist as we can, and keeping resources available beyond our close. Thank you. That support is invaluable. The exact timeline of our closure is still being determined, but we will keep you updated.

As always, you can cancel your recurring donation at any time here.

Our staff is ready to help answer any other questions you’re holding that weren’t addressed above. But, please know our capacity is limited as we navigate all the practical and emotional elements of closing this organization that has meant so much to so many, ourselves very much included. 


Reach out to info@thedinnerparty.org and we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as we can.