O2 Sabbatical Award

The O2 Sabbatical Award, offered by O2 Initiatives, supports nonprofit executive directors in the San Francisco Bay Area by providing a structured sabbatical experience. The program is specifically available to leaders based in San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. The initiative recognizes the critical need for rest and renewal among nonprofit executives and seeks to foster sustainable leadership practices. O2 Initiatives aims to bolster the resilience of these leaders and their organizations, reinforcing their ability to meet the evolving demands of their communities. The award includes a $50,000 grant to cover the executive director’s three-month sabbatical. In addition, awardees receive $15,000 in flexible funding intended to support professional development for staff and to provide stipends for the interim leadership team. The award also includes 25 hours of organizational coaching to prepare for the sabbatical, advise interim leaders during the leave, and support re-entry and broader organizational development goals such as shared leadership and succession planning. O2 Initiatives also fosters an alumni network of past awardees through the O2 Peer Network. This group participates in annual gatherings and shared learning opportunities, contributing to sector-wide development by mentoring new awardees and participating in selection processes. The program places a strong emphasis on racial equity and actively encourages applications from executive directors who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Applications for the 2025 award cycle open on June 11, 2025, and must be submitted by August 13, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their status by November 21, 2025. Finalist site visits and interviews will occur in January 2026, with awards announced in February 2026. Awardee orientation will take place in March 2026, and the sabbatical must begin no later than February 1, 2027. Interested applicants can direct their inquiries to Program Officer Allison Domicone at program@o2initiatives.org or call (415) 432-7215. Additional contacts include Executive Director Emily Raskin (director@o2initiatives.org) and Program Assistant Sofia Leos (admin@o2initiatives.org). The program’s office is located at 595 Market Street, Suite 820, San Francisco, CA 94105.

O2 encourages participation from racially diverse leaders and emphasizes the importance of planning for interim leadership and organizational learning during the sabbatical.