Sabbatical Granting Program

Grant applications are currently closed.

Sabbatical Program Goals

Our vision is that we will continue to demonstrate 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

Research & Resources

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 —> check out a one-pager with our top findings.
1) Here’s what we’re reading about sabbaticals in general. Spoiler alert: research shows they rule.
2) Heres’s where you can find the reflections of our pilot sabbatical grantees!

FAQs on the grant

If you have any questions that are not listed on this FAQ, please feel free to reach out to josh@restofourlives.org. And, if applicable, we’ll also add the question/answer to this list for others after we share it with you!

  • 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.

  • For 2024 grants, R&R will require that all three (3) month sabbaticals begin no earlier than May 1, 2025 and no later than December 1, 2025.

  • We recognize the critical importance for a sabbatical policy to be accessible to all staff at an organization. For this granting round, 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.

    *If you have less than five full-time staff, but have part-time staff that make-up at least five in full-time capacity, you can still apply, but we strongly encourage you to explain the staffing structure in more detail in the last question of the application in order to best understand the plan for bench of leadership during sabbatical.

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

  • Our research and that of others has indicated that providing stipends/financial incentives to deputy(s) taking on the roles and responsibilities of the leader in their absence contributes to healthier, more effective sabbatical experience for both the organization and the team. The amount of the stipend could be dependent on the workload, your organization's budget and conversations with the deputy(s) to ensure they feel valued and supported in this experience.

  • If you are planning a sabbatical and either the dates do not align with our grant program and/or you are ineligible to apply, the R&R team has opportunities to engage with us separately through Sabbatical Coaching. Reach out to josh@restofourlives.org to discuss your needs further.