Sabbatical Program

Overview

Allegany Franciscan Ministries is excited to announce the launch of our Nonprofit Executive Leadership Sabbatical Program. This new program is a premier leadership program offered within our Nonprofit Capacity and Leadership Initiative (NCLI). The overarching vision of NCLI is for nonprofits and community organizations in Florida and their leaders to have the resources, opportunities, and capacity to thrive as they fulfill their missions.

The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Sabbatical Program is designed:

TO FOSTER a renewed sense of energy and creativity that enhances leadership effectivess for nonprofit executive leaders.
TO ADVANCE the skills and capacity of staff at the grant partner's organization to create more sustainable leadership structures.
TO BOLSTER board engagement and understanding of organizational operations, and provide a more informed governance.
TO SPARK critical conversations in the Florida philanthropic sector and shift funding norms toward lont-term sustainability and care for the nonprofit sector in Florida.

What is a sabbatical?

The Allegany Franciscan Ministries Nonprofit Executive Leadership Sabbatical Program is a three-month period during which our grant partners’ Executive Leaders take a leave of absence from their work organizations, completely disconnecting from their organizational responsibilities. Sabbatical recipients use this time to engage in non-professional development activities to aid personal renewal and growth. While the Exectuive Ledaers are on a sabbatical, employers can leverage this opportunity for organizational growth, leadership development, and succession planning.

Click on image below to view complete Nonprofit Executive Leadership Sabbatical Program Information.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Sabbatical Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold the title of Executive Director and report directly to the organization's governing body.
Serve as the organization's executive leader for a minimum of five years.
Have received a grant from Allegany Franciscan Ministries within the past ten fiscal years (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2025). Eligible grant programs include: Tau, ACOR, St. Clare, Climate Justice and Care for Creation, Major Grants, Common Good Initiative, and Nonprofit Capacity and Leadership grants.
Maintain status as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt entity in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. Note: Fiscally sponsored organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions are not eligible.
Reside in the state of Florida.
Secure approval from the organization's Board of Directors. Instructions will be provided in the application.
Commit to remaining employed by the organization for at least twelve months after sabbatical return.

Program Timeline

Application Opens
July 14, 2025

Application Deadline
September 8, 2025

Finalist Interviews
October 1 – October 10 2025

Orientation for Sabbatical Participants
November 7, 2025

Sabbatical Program Begins
January 1, 2026

Weekend Wellness Retreat
March 2027

Sabbaticals must commence between January 1 and October 1, 2026, and be completed by December 31, 2026. The defined timeframe ensures alignment and commitment among all parties involved.

Reference Documents

Sabbatical Grant Application Questions
*Application questions are provided in advance for reference only. Applications must be submitted online using the Access Grant Portal button located at the bottom of this page.

Contact

Brittney Frazier
727-507-9668
bfrazier@afmfl.org

Grant Portal Information

New & Improved Apply Page and Applicant Dashboard starting July 1, 2025! Reference resources to help navigate: Information Webinar Recording & Slide Deck and Written Tutorials on Apply Page & Applicant Dashboard. Applications must be accessed and completed through our online grant portal. Returning and new applicants and active grant partners can access the grant portal here.

Contact Carla Batts at cbatts@afmfl.org for questions about Grant Portal.