Nonprofit Sabbatical Grant Program

The Nonprofit Sabbatical Grant Program, funded by The Colorado Health Foundation, offers up to $100,000 to support nonprofit leaders in Colorado. This initiative allows executives to take a much-needed sabbatical of three to four months, fostering rejuvenation and innovative thinking. The program emphasizes diversity in its grantee selection, aiming to address entrenched inequities while ensuring sustainability in organizational operations during the absence of leaders. By investing in interim leadership and staff development, it enhances the capacity of nonprofits to serve their communities effectively.

Successfully leading a nonprofit in today’s world takes endless dedication and time. Yet, nonprofit leaders are often so committed to their missions that spending time away to re-energize can be an afterthought. The Nonprofit Sabbatical Program aims to recognize and reward long-term and respected nonprofit leaders in Colorado and strengthen the organizations they lead by offering funds for interim leadership and staff capacity building. The program offers nonprofit executives the opportunity to step away from professional responsibilities and take time for themselves for rejuvenation. Ideally, the executive returns to their professional life with new ideas and a fresh sense of commitment to their work, the nonprofit sector as well as the health and health equity of all Coloradans.
The sabbatical award is made in the form of a grant – up to $100,000 – for charitable support to a Colorado-based nonprofit organization and includes:

• Grantee executive to take three-to-four month hiatus for activities of their choice to reflect, rest and rejuvenate:
• Up to $20,000 for sabbatical activities (e.g., professional development; travel; personal activities)
• Between $25,000-$55,000 subsidy for salary and benefits (dependent on current salary)
• Grantee interim leadership needs (individual or a team):
• Up to $10,000 to support interim leadership needs while grantee is away on sabbatical.Grantee staff capacity building needs
• Up to $15,000 to be used during the sabbatical period or up to two years after receipt of the award
• Organizations will need to demonstrate how staff have been involved in determining use of these funds to ensure that they are used for employee-directed needs

Eligibility

Applicants must:
Be a Colorado-based executive director, CEO or tribal administrator of a nonprofit organization working to bring health and health equity in reach for Coloradans
Be an outstanding and respected leader with a demonstrated record of community contribution
Have served at least five years in current executive role
Have at least seven years’ experience in an executive leadership role within the nonprofit sector
Be a full-time employee and resident of Colorado
Demonstrate commitment to remaining in current position at current organization for at least three years upon return from sabbatical
Have organization’s board approval
Present a sustainable interim leadership and operations plan for the applicant’s organization
Have at least five full-time employees on staff at the organization
Be willing to serve a one-month executive-in-residence placement at The Colorado Health Foundation
Be willing to participate in program alumni activitiesOrganization must:

• Be located in Colorado and provide services and/or programs that bring health and health equity in reach for Coloradans
• Operate as a public charity, and not a private foundation, under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3)
• Guarantee maintenance and sustainability of regular operations during the applicant’s absence
• Demonstrate need for organizational financial assistance during an applicant’s absence.

Demonstrate need for and commitment to supporting organizational, employee-driven capacity building that will strengthen the organization’s ability to meet its mission
Guarantee regular health and other benefits to applicant during nominee absence