Sabbatical Program Grant

The Sabbatical Program by the Rasmuson Foundation supports nonprofit leaders in Alaska by providing grants of $50,000 for 90 to 120 days of leadership sabbaticals. This initiative aims to foster personal renewal and professional growth, allowing executives to reflect and recharge, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in their roles. Eligible applicants must be full-time nonprofit executives or tribal leaders with significant experience. The program emphasizes the importance of supporting leaders' well-being to sustain long-term organizational success.

Over three generations, the Rasmusons built up the family-owned bank, then leveraged its sale in 1999 to turn the foundation into the largest private funder in Alaska.
We invest in people, nonprofits, communities and tribes through grants large and small, and we explore ways of making Alaska a healthier and more vibrant place through convenings and close collaborations with those in the know. Since our beginnings in 1955, the Foundation has given more than $500 million toward this mission.
In 2024 our grantmaking include the following Program Areas: Arts, Culture, Humanities; Community Development; Education; Health; Environment; Human Services; Organizational Development; Recreation & Sports and others.
The Sabbatical Program is a grant that covers the salary and expenses during a leadership sabbatical, which supports the personal growth and renewal of the nonprofit CEO or tribal executive.
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.
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.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.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.