The Woodmark Group traces its origins to April 1991 when the chief development officers of 15 premier children’s hospitals in the United States and Canada convened at the then newly opened Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, Washington, to discuss fundraising challenges and opportunities. They dubbed this first gathering, "The Woodmark Forum." Members settled on "The Woodmark Group" as the legal name for the organization when it incorporated in 2000. The name was a sentimental favorite.

The Woodmark Group is a volunteer-driven organization. It is funded primarily through hospitals’ annual membership fees. The organization is governed by a board of up to nine chief development officers from among the member hospitals, who are elected by their peers. Programs and operations are overseen by a full-time executive director and two full-time professionals who focus on implementing Woodmark’s learning and best-practices programs. The Woodmark team and office are located in Seattle.