Sabbatical Grant Program for Alaska Leaders

The Rasmuson Foundation’s Sabbatical Program provides nonprofit and tribal leaders in Alaska with an opportunity for extended personal renewal and rest. This initiative is designed specifically for full-time executive directors of nonprofit organizations and tribal administrators who are committed to their organizations and have served in leadership roles for a significant period. The program is rooted in research and practice showing that leadership sustainability and organizational health improve when executives take time for personal restoration. Sabbaticals help alleviate burnout, rejuvenate commitment to service, and foster organizational resilience by cultivating emerging leadership during the executive's absence. The program offers grants of $50,000 to cover sabbaticals that last between 90 and 120 continuous days. These funds are awarded directly to the leader’s organization to support both the leader’s personal renewal activities—such as travel, reflection, or personal growth—and the organizational needs that arise in their absence. This includes salary and benefit continuation for the leader, compensation or training for interim staff, contracted services to cover the leader’s responsibilities, and wellness support for the broader team. Importantly, these sabbaticals are not intended for medical leave, professional advancement, or academic study and exclude enrollment in degree programs or classes aimed at career development. To be eligible, applicants must be Alaska residents and serve as full-time nonprofit executive directors or tribal administrators. Applicants are required to have a minimum of seven years of experience in the nonprofit or tribal sector and at least five years in their current leadership position. Organizations must be Alaska-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits or tribal entities. Additional criteria include the organization’s willingness to maintain the leader’s salary and benefits during the sabbatical and demonstrate internal readiness to function effectively during the leader’s time away. The leader must commit to returning to their role for at least one year following the sabbatical. The selection process is conducted by a panel consisting of Rasmuson Foundation board members and past sabbatical recipients. Proposals are evaluated primarily on the benefit of the sabbatical to both the individual leader and their organization, as well as the clarity and strength of the plan for organizational sustainability during the leader’s absence. The panel assesses the readiness of the organization to maintain operations, including whether interim leaders have been identified and supported. The Foraker Group and Alaska Tribal Administrators Association offer free support services to assist interim staff and ensure a smooth leadership transition during the sabbatical. Applications for the 2026 cycle are currently open and will close on August 15, 2025. The application must be submitted online. Interested individuals are encouraged to begin preparations early and consult with their board and team. After the sabbatical, recipients are required to submit a report within 90 days documenting the benefits and challenges experienced. The Foundation also welcomes photos and videos as part of this reflection process. For additional information or to ask questions, applicants can contact the Foundation at sabbatical@rasmuson.org. This program reflects the Foundation’s broader commitment to nurturing strong, effective leadership and building thriving communities across Alaska by recognizing the personal well-being of leaders as essential to long-term organizational success.