Established 2024

The Sabbatical Fund was established in 2024 as a collaboration among Middle Tennessee philanthropic foundations to celebrate nonprofit Executive Directors and CEOs and their deep commitment to caring for our community. We believe that healthy, compassionate leadership is essential to thriving organizations and a strong nonprofit sector. We also believe that rest is an essential element of transformative leadership—not a “nice-to-have” add-on.

Executive Directors and CEOs carry immense responsibility, often leading to chronic overwork and burnout in pursuit of meaningful impact. Sabbaticals are an investment in leader well-being, strengthen leadership pipelines, and enhance organizational sustainability. By investing in extended rest, we are investing in more creative, resilient leadership and healthier organizations.

While the sabbatical experience is centered on the Executive Director or CEO, its benefits extend far beyond the individual, positively impacting staff, boards, and organizational culture. Ultimately, this program aims to shift sector norms, elevating rest and renewal as essential to the natural rhythm of sustainable, impactful leadership.

Grant Details

Grant funds of up to $20,000 are awarded from the Sabbatical Fund to the grantee organization. Sabbaticals are defined as a 3-month extended absence with no work or contact with the organization. Each sabbatical is tailored to the unique needs of the sabbatical applicant, including sabbatical start and end dates. The organization continues to pay the salary/benefits of the sabbatical participant during the extended absence.

Grant dollars should be used to support sabbatical activities, experiences, and practices for the CEO or Executive Director. Additionally, grant dollars are used to support interim leadership or organizational capacity needed to make sabbatical possible.

Eligibility

• CEO/Executive Directors for at least five years and employed in the nonprofit sector for at least seven years
• Prospective applicants must be funded by and in good standing with at least one of the contributing philanthropic partners
• Work in a Middle Tennessee nonprofit

Learn More and Express Interest

Interested applicants should email Abby Hyman to discuss eligibility, timing, and other relevant questions.

Philanthropic Partners

The Sabbatical Fund is supported by a collaborative group of Middle Tennessee philanthropic foundations. Grantmaking decisions are made collectively through the pooled fund’s established processes. Grant awards do not necessarily reflect the individual grantmaking priorities or eligibility criteria of each participating foundation, and as such, do not constitute an invitation to apply for additional funding opportunities beyond the Sabbatical Fund.