Windcall was founded in 1989 by long-time social justice funders Albert and Susan Wells (Abelard Foundation of the Common Counsel Foundation) and housed at their ranch in Montana. They were spurred by having met many organizers who were exhausted, or who had left the field prematurely due to burnout or because of coming to a crossroads in their role in the social justice movement and not having a way to navigate change. The Wellses decided to offer organizers a restorative retreat at the guesthouse on their ranch.