Contact: Jeff Clarke
Foundation announces six inaugural sabbatical awards
Anchorage - The Rasmuson Foundation announces the first six Alaskan nonprofit leaders to receive grant awards under its new Sabbatical Program. Currently in its inaugural year, the program is designed to provide time away from the office for Executive Directors and Chief Executive Officers of health and human service agencies in Alaska to pursue professional growth and personal renewal. The program gives tangible recognition, in the form of grants, to cover the executive’s salary and expenses during the sabbatical, which may run from two to six continuous months.
“The Rasmuson Foundation works every day to support Alaska nonprofit organizations,” said Foundation president Diane Kaplan. “Through the Sabbatical Program we want to give outstanding nonprofit leaders a well deserved break so they can get refreshed.” The sabbatical program recognizes the value the foundation places on high-performing and accomplished nonprofit leaders. The grants are not only a reward for achievement, but a motivating factor to keep Alaska’s best working in the field.
According to Kaplan, “the sabbaticals can translate into anything from professional development, travel, personal growth, to simply getting some well deserved rest and spending time with family.”
Dennis McMillian, President and CEO of The Foraker Group, a nonprofit organization providing management consulting services and education for nonprofits across Alaska, said “the Rasmuson Sabbatical Program is one of the most exciting developments in the Alaska nonprofit world in decades. We know how tough it is to run a nonprofit in Alaska; the hours are long, the pay is not great, and the environment is high pressure, all of which are hard on individuals and their families. The Sabbatical Program is a terrific way to help Alaska’s best and brightest stay motivated and moving forward.”
The six inaugural awards have gone to individuals and agencies doing diverse work in virtually every corner of the state. This year’s recipients are:
• Chris Devlin, Executive Director, Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Sand Point
• Michelle DeWitt, Executive Director, Tundra Women’s Center, Bethel
• Virginia Espenshade, Executive Director, Kenai Peninsula Youth Court, Homer & Kenai
• Jim Maley, President and CEO, Alaska Children’s Services, Anchorage
• Ron Perkins, Executive Director, Alaska Injury Prevention Center, Anchorage
• Drenda Tigner, Executive Director, Presbyterian Hospitality House, Fairbanks
Sabbatical awards are for up to $30,000. In order to be considered for an award, interested nonprofit health and social services leaders were required to submit a proposal and an application; selection was based on two primary criteria:
• The benefit of the sabbatical to both the organization and the executive, and
• The demonstrated ability of the organization to sustain itself during the executive’s absence.
Ms. Drenda Tigner, Director of the Presbyterian Hospitality House in Fairbanks and a sabbatical award recipient said, upon being notified of the award, that “the Rasmuson Foundation has done so much for Alaska nonprofits, and I am honored to have been awarded a sabbatical grant. As a busy nonprofit professional, the opportunity to take a step back from the agency, and take care of myself a little bit, will make all of the difference in the world.”
More information on the Rasmuson Foundation and the Sabbatical Program is available here on our website.
The Rasmuson Foundation is a private foundation, created in May of 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband "E.A." Rasmuson, to assist groups in Alaska that address basic needs, arts and culture, and projects that address special circumstances; in doing so the Rasmuson Foundation is working to help Alaskans of all ages to live healthy, enriched and productive lives.
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