O2 Initiatives is inviting applications from executive directors of nonprofit organizations in San Francisco and Alameda counties for its O2 Sabbatical Award, a program designed to recognize the commitment and accomplishments of exceptional nonprofit leaders.

Modeled on the highly successful Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Program in Los Angeles, the O2 Sabbatical Award provides Bay Area executive directors with a three-month paid leave for personal and professional reinvigoration. The goals of the program are to re-energize executive directors, improve leadership capacity throughout their organizations, and establish a peer network of program alumni who collectively strengthen the sector.

O2 Initiatives will grant up to six awards in its inaugural program cycle. Each award will include $40,000 to the recipient’s organization to help underwrite the cost of a three-month sabbatical, plus a $3,000 stipend for the interim leader (or leadership team) in recognition of the additional responsibilities assumed in the executive director’s absence.

O2 Initiatives will also offer coaching to help awardees prepare for their sabbaticals, assist interim teams during the recipient’s leave, and provide support with re-entry once sabbaticals are completed.

In addition, awardees will be invited to request up to $7,500 for professional development and team-building activities in their organizations. This component of the grant is intended to provide each organization with seed funding to establish a professional development fund that they will continue to maintain as an ongoing line item in their budget.

O2 will begin accepting applications on June 20.

For complete program guidelines and application procedures, see the O2 Initiatives website.