Sabbatical

Applications are now open for sabbaticals that will take place in 2024. The deadline to apply is close of business, Aug. 3.

What is a sabbatical?
The Sabbatical Program provides tribal administrators and nonprofit executive directors with time away from the organization for rest and personal renewal. The Foundation believes nonprofit and tribal leaders are able to better serve their organizations when they have taken extended time away to reflect on their work, gain insight into what they want to accomplish in their careers, learn better ways to run their organizations and renew their personal energy.

Sabbaticals often help executives return to their jobs with renewed enthusiasm and allow their organizations to nurture up-and-coming talent within their ranks. That’s according to the “Creative Disruption” study supported in part by Rasmuson Foundation.

Thinking about a sabbatical?
• Make sure you have all the materials in hand. Download checklist here.
• Read over these Sabbatical Program instructions. Download guidelines here.

What happens on a sabbatical?
This award is for the personal renewal of the applicant. Activities dedicated to personal renewal as defined by the recipient may include travel, personal enrichment, time for reflection, or simply rest. Awards will support sabbaticals of 90 to 180 continuous days. Sabbatical recipients are expected to fully step away from their organizations for the length of the sabbatical. The grants, up to $50,000, are awarded to the organization to cover salary and expenses of the nonprofit or tribal executive during the sabbatical. No distinction is made between large and small organizations.

Eligibility
• Applicant must be an Alaska resident with at least seven years in the nonprofit sector or with a tribal organization and at least five years in their current position.
• The organization must be an Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tribal entity or equivalent. Executives of arts organizations are eligible.
• Applicant must hold the title of CEO, executive director or tribal administrator of their organization.

Requirements
• The organization must agree to continue paying employee benefits to the recipient during the sabbatical.
• The application must be supported by the applicant’s board of directors or tribal council.
• During the sabbatical, award recipients must participate in a peer support network through the Foraker Group or the Alaska Tribal Administrators Association (ATAA).
• An interim leader must be identified by the organization in the plan for how the organization will be managed in the chief executive’s absence. Support before, during and after the sabbatical is available through the Foraker Group and ATAA at no charge to the recipient organization.
• The participant must commit to return to the organization for a minimum of one year after the sabbatical. The participant also must commit to pay back all expenses to the organization if they leave before the year is complete.
• Within 60-90 days of completing the sabbatical, the participant must provide the Foundation with a written report of no more than three double-spaced pages on the benefits of the time away from work and any challenges faced or unforeseen insights — both personally and professionally. Photos and videos are encouraged!

Process
• Click here to start your application.

Selection Criteria
• Benefit of the sabbatical to the organization and the leader.
• The quality of the plan to assure the organization’s sustainability during the sabbatical. The award will not be given if the selection committee concludes that the organization would be unable to sustain itself during the executive’s absence.
• Rasmuson Foundation gives priority to organizations that can demonstrate 100% of the board has contributed financially to the organization in the last 12 months. Tribal governments are exempt from that requirement.

Questions?
Email sabbatical@rasmuson.org.