Sabbatical Grant

The Sabbatical Grant by Rasmuson Foundation offers tribal and nonprofit leaders a unique opportunity for personal renewal through a fully funded sabbatical of 90 to 120 days. With grants of $50,000, the program supports leaders in stepping away from their roles to prevent burnout, gain insights, and rejuvenate their energy. This initiative encourages long-term sustainability in leadership and allows organizations to nurture emerging talent while leaders focus on personal enrichment and reflection.

The Sabbatical Program provides leaders (tribal administrators and nonprofit CEOs/executive directors) with time away from the office for rest and personal renewal.
Tribal/nonprofit leaders can serve their organizations better and remain in the sector longer when they have an opportunity to take extended time away to refresh and reflect on their work, gain insight into what they want to accomplish, and renew their personal energy. According to a 2016 study supported in part by Rasmuson Foundation, sabbaticals help leaders return to their jobs with renewed enthusiasm while also encouraging organizations to nurture up-and-coming talent within their ranks.
Awarding personal renewal
This grant is centered on the leader’s personal renewal, which is unique to each person. Activities dedicated to renewal may include travel, personal enrichment, time for reflection, or rest. Awards are not intended for medical leave, professional development, or academic study but rather to prevent burnout and promote long-term leadership sustainability. Leaders are not allowed to enroll in degree-seeking courses during their sabbatical or take other classes to advance their professional careers.
Grants of $50,000 support sabbaticals of 90 to 120 continuous days. Leaders are expected to step away from their organizations fully for the duration of the sabbatical. The grants are awarded to the organization for the payment of the leader’s travel/activities, and to compensate/support the interim team covering the work of the leader while they are on sabbatical. The organization is responsible for disbursing the funds to the leader to be used for sabbatical activities and handling all related payroll/tax issues.
Sabbatical grants are primarily intended for:
Expenses related to the sabbatical (e.g. travel, personal growth activities, other renewal experiences). Compensation or other support for interim staff (e.g. bonus for filling tasks in the leader’s position; training for staff taking on new roles/skills in the leader’s absence; staff wellness related to the leader’s absence). Time-limited contracted services for duties usually handled by the leader (e.g. accountant). Support salary and benefits during sabbatical.

Eligibility

The organization must be an Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofit or tribal entity.  The leader must be a full-time (at least 35 hours per week) nonprofit executive director or tribal administrator.The leader must be an Alaska resident with at least seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector or with a tribal organization and at least five years of experience in their current leadership position.

Ineligibility

An individual who already received a Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Award is not eligible for another one.