Sabbatical

Since its founding in 1997, the Durfee Sabbatical program has awarded more than 100 sabbaticals to outstanding nonprofit leaders in Los Angeles.

Many leaders in the Los Angeles nonprofit sector work under conditions of unrelenting stress, potentially leading to burnout. The enormous demands of their jobs, combined with financial pressure, can prevent them from taking time off for much needed rejuvenation and reflection.

In an effort to replenish the stores of energy and inspiration for our community’s most treasured leaders, the Durfee Sabbatical program offers up to six organizations $55,000 each for their leaders to travel, reflect or otherwise renew themselves in whatever manner they propose, for a minimum of three consecutive months. Sabbatical awardees also meet twice a year to engage in
cross-disciplinary dialogue.

Goals

• To recognize and reward accomplished nonprofit leaders with an extended break from their work for personal rejuvenation
• To advance the skills and capacity of staff at sabbatical organizations so that they can assume increased leadership
• To encourage shared leadership across the staff
• To advocate for the efficacy of professional development programs at nonprofit organizations, thereby generating widespread appreciation for the critical value of human resources to the sector
• To foster cross-disciplinary dialogue among nonprofit leaders in Los Angeles