Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship Grant

The Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship, offered by Nexus Community Partners, provides a unique 8-month program for BIPOC leaders in Minnesota, emphasizing the importance of deep rest. With opportunities to join retreats, receive stipends, and access resources, this fellowship aims to empower individuals dedicated to community change while acknowledging the challenges they face in taking time off.

Our vision for the sabbatical fellowship is to create different deep-rest opportunities for BIPOC leaders in Minnesota who create and nurture community change. The term BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. It is a broad person-first acronym used to describe people who are not white, while noting that Black and Indigenous people face disproportionate discrimination and prejudice in places like Minnesota. The ROOT Sabbatical Fellowships create multiple opportunities for community changemakers to rest deeply, intentionally, and with support.
In 2025, after an extensive community engagement process, we are offering something different: the Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship. This opportunity was designed for those who cannot take 3 continuous months off. Existing, conventional sabbatical programs tend to be off-limits for these leaders.
The Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship is an 8-month program running from April to November 2025.
Fifteen people (individuals and groups) who meet our criteria will be randomly selected for the Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship.
As part of this Rhythmic Sabbatical, fellows will:
Join monthly sabbatical experiences (length: from a weekend to about 10 days) to explore and practice their rest. This includes experiences within Minnesota and out of state.Receive a modest financial stipend to support their ability to join the sabbatical experiences.Work with coaches, healing practitioners, and other guides to build and strengthen their rest practices.Be provided with rest-related resources such as a journal, rest worksheets, and books.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Rhythmic Sabbatical, you (or individuals in your group) must:Have been doing community change work for a significant part of your life (learn how we define this)Be 18 years of age or older by March 24, 2025.Identify as Black, Indigenous, or person of color.Reside in Minnesota, or any of the Native Nations whose territories are occupied by Minnesota.Be able to receive funds electronically to a financial banking institution or to cash a check in your name.Have a valid mailing address.Have travel documents that meet REAL ID requirements. Learn more here. If selected, be willing to submit a completed W-9, form of identification, and a reference by a community member (or a group) who also identify BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) to attest to your community impact.

Ineligibility

You are not eligible if:  You are applying on the behalf of an organization (for profit, nonprofit, grassroots organization, a collective, or any other organized group). You can, however, apply as a group of individuals. You are not able to commit to the monthly sabbatical experiences. You are a current staff or board member of Nexus Community Partners or an immediate family member.For the 2025 Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship, we do not have the capacity to accept applications in languages other than English.