Sabbatical Program

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Following the completion of R&R’s Sabbatical Grant pilot in 2023, applied sociologist Tobin Belzer, PhD, conducted an evaluation of this first-of-its-kind program in the Jewish nonprofit sector.

We learned a lot, and we can’t wait to dig deeper with you —> check out a one-pager with our top findings.

Excited to announce our 2023 grant pilot results!

R&R is the first organization to provide sabbatical grants to the Jewish communal sector on a national scale. The R&R Sabbatical program pilot provided 5 leaders with a $60k grant:

  • $50,000 for the awardees to rest, travel, reflect or renew in whatever manner they propose, for a minimum of three (3) consecutive months while maintaining their current salary/benefits

  • $10,000 to support interim leaders and staff

Our model is inspired by 20+ years of research and practice by The Durfee Foundation. We know that rest, and specifically sabbaticals, is essential to our community’s investment in generating the next big Jewish ideas. Without giving our leaders time away from their work to dream big, replenish their spirits, and rest their bodies, we will not see any of their ideas come to fruition. This is particularly critical when viewed through an equity lens, as we know BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and women have borne the brunt of the economic disparity of the pandemic.

Here’s what we’re reading about sabbaticals. Spoiler alert: research shows they rule.

Vision & Goals

Three years from now we will have demonstrated the power of sabbaticals in the Jewish non-profit sector, helping to give diverse leaders time away from work. Leaders will have a chance to rejuvenate, slow down, and avoid burnout from the demands of their positions. Organizations and projects will become stronger and healthier, contributing to the long-term success of their leaders and the broader ecosystem. This change will come from launching and norming sabbaticals for talent across the Jewish nonprofit sector.

  • To acknowledge and reward nonprofit leaders with a 3-month break from their professional work for rest and rejuvenation

  • To support sabbatical organizations in advancing a shared leadership model across their organizations

  • To advance the skills and capacity of staff at sabbatical organizations so that they can assume increased leadership

  • To advocate for building and expanding equitable rest policies and practices within the nonprofit sector, generating widespread appreciation for the critical value of workers and a sustainable environment that supports them

Pilot Details

Our review panel for the applications will be focused on equity in the selection process as R&R seeks to fight for a system that works for all, not the few, and work to dismantle systems of oppression within the workplace. R&R operates through a set of guiding values that will inform the way in which our panel evaluates applications. They will consider each application in light of these questions:

Role and Tenure

  • Has the candidate been in a leadership role of a nonprofit for at least the past seven years?

  • Is the candidate ultimately responsible for the organization — i.e. is this the person with whom the buck stops?

Leadership Beyond the Organization

  • Has the candidate demonstrated leadership beyond the four walls of their organization?

  • Will the candidate participate in and contribute to the sabbatical peer network?

Organizational Readiness

  • Is there stable secondary staff in place to take over interim leadership during the sabbatical?

  • Are there enough of a staff to absorb the load?

  • Is the organization well poised to take advantage of this opportunity — i.e., does the organization have strong finances, no immediate debt, not in transition, or dealing with any other issue that would destabilize the organization?

  • Is the board supportive?

Timing

  • Is this a good moment, both personally and professionally, for the leader to step away?

  • Is there a sense of urgency about why this year is the right year — i.e., new building recently completed, child going off to college, capital campaign forecast to begin in 2-3 years?

  • Is the candidate committed to remaining for at least the next three years at their organization?

Candidate Readiness

  • Does the candidate have a good plan for the sabbatical that is not work-related?

  • Does the candidate really seem capable of disengaging from work?

Financial Need

  • Could the candidate afford to take a leave without financial subsidy?

  • Does the organization have an endowment or a sufficiently large budget that would suggest it could underwrite the sabbatical without R&R’s support?

 

FAQs

  • Unfortunately, R&R cannot offer the grant to more than one leader at an organization. We strongly encourage that you and your co-director(s) have a discussion before applying to determine which of you would be more suited for the Sabbatical award based on the review criteria.

  • At this time, R&R grants are only available to US-based nonprofits. We hope to expand in the future.

  • The R&R program requires a sabbatical of at least three (3) consecutive months. The purpose is to provide nonprofit leaders with a real break from their work. We understand that a longer break requires more preparation, but evidence has shown that this is a powerful way for the organization to ensure its valued leader has the proper amount of time for rest and rejuvenation.

  • R&R will require that all three (3) month sabbaticals begin within 12 months of receiving the award.

  • We hope to be able to expand eligibility for this grant program in the future! In 2022, only CEOs, ED’s or the most senior leader at an organization are eligible for R&R sabbatical grants. Research has shown that many times executives return from their sabbaticals incredibly inspired and ready to implement new org-wide rest policies and practices (such as a sabbatical policy) for their organization. Our hope is that this will come to fruition in meaningful ways.

  • Yes, leaders of small nonprofits are eligible for the program as long as there is strong secondary leadership and at least five full-time staff. All applicants must demonstrate that existing staff can carry on the work of the organization as usual while the candidate is away.

  • Yes, applicants from large nonprofits are eligible. However, the program requires that nonprofits receiving the Sabbatical grant must demonstrate financial need to underwrite the candidate’s leave. Organizations with very large budgets, especially those with significant endowments, may not be fare as well in the application process.

 

Questions?
Contact Rachel Zieleniec at rachel@restofourlives.org