For Immediate Release
Contact: Cassandra Stalzer, 907-334-0520

Anchorage, Alaska – Seven Alaska nonprofit leaders have been selected for the 2016 Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program. The recipients come from four communities across the state and include professionals in marine safety, special needs housing, health and social services. They are:

Victoria D’Amico, Sitkans Against Family Violence (Sitka)

Michele Brown, United Way of Anchorage (Anchorage)

Dana Brown, Via Vita Health Project, Inc. dba Alaska Family Health & Birth Center (Fairbanks)

Susan Kessler, ACCA (Alaska Center for Children and Adults) (Fairbanks)

Willow Moore-Olbrych, Brave Heart Volunteers (Sitka)

John Weaver, Valley Residential Services (Wasilla)

Jerry Dzugan, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (Sitka)

The Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program supports nonprofit leaders in time away from the job. The program’s goal is to retain exceptional CEOs/executive directors and tribal administrators in the sector by providing three- to six-month opportunities for rest, reflection and rejuvenation. On average, a sabbatical extends a nonprofit director’s tenure by three years.

Healthy nonprofit leaders are crucial to Alaska, yet many work in environments where the need is great but human and financial resources are thin. The stress and long hours can strain professionals. A sabbatical provides time for personal growth and renewal.

Sabbaticals are beneficial to organizations because they reduce the burnout rate of nonprofit leaders and reduce disruption caused by avoidable leadership transitions. Nonprofit leaders return reenergized. The benefits of planned leadership sabbaticals were the subject of a 2010 study, which can be found here.

While on sabbatical, recipients are expected to completely step away from their organizations.

The next deadline to apply for a Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical is October 1, 2016. Details about the Sabbatical Program, guidelines for preparing a proposal and application materials are available online. For more information please call (907) 297-2700 or toll-free within Alaska 1-877-366-2700.

About the Foundation
The Rasmuson Foundation was created in May 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband E.A. Rasmuson. Through grantmaking and initiatives, the Foundation is a catalyst to promote a better life for all Alaskans.