Contact: Sammye Pokryfki
Foundation announces 2006 Sabbatical Program
Anchorage - The Rasmuson Foundation will begin accepting applications for the 2006 Nonprofit Leader Sabbatical Program, designed to provide an opportunity for professional growth and personal renewal for Executive Directors and Chief Executive Officers of health and human service agencies in Alaska. Applications must be postmarked by October 1, 2005.
“We are very excited about the direction of this program,” said Foundation President Diane Kaplan, in announcing the second round of applications. “We awarded sabbaticals to six outstanding Alaska professionals in 2005. Our goal is to give them a chance to take a break from their jobs, rest and refresh themselves, learn more about their profession, travel, and spend time with their families. We want these nonprofit leaders to return to their organizations with a new found sense of energy, enabling them to become more effective in their day-to-day tasks.”
Kaplan said the Sabbatical Program demonstrates the value the Foundation places on high-performing and accomplished organization leaders. The program is both a reward for achievement and a motivating factor to keep the best people working in the field. To view a list of the 2005 Sabbatical recipients, click here.
The Foundation will award its second series of grants in 2006, each up to $30,000. To be eligible, an individual must be employed through a 501(c)(3) organization in the health and human services field. Grants will be used to cover the executive’s salary and expenses during the sabbatical—which may run from two to six continuous months.
A key step in the selection process is a personal interview with each finalist by the selection panel. Applicants will be selected based on two primary criteria:
• The benefit of the sabbatical to both the organization and the executive
• The demonstrated ability of the organization to sustain itself during the executive’s absence.
Details on the program, guidelines for preparing a proposal, and application materials are available here at the Rasmuson Foundation website, or by calling 907-297-2700 or the toll free number (within Alaska) 1-877-366-2700.
“We have many deserving executives who commit extraordinary time and energy to serving their organizations and Alaskans,” Kaplan said. “They work in very high-stress jobs and this program is a way to help them avoid the burn-out that often comes from that stress.”
The Rasmuson Foundation was created under a declaration of trust in May of 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband, "E.A." Rasmuson. Today, the Rasmuson Foundation continues this tradition through programs that support both non-profit organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for people throughout the state. By assisting those who address basic needs, arts and culture, and projects that address special circumstances, the Rasmuson Foundation contributes to healthy, enriched and productive lives
for Alaskans of all ages.
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