Preserve.
Protect.
Enjoy.

Delta Leadership Foundation

The mission of Delta Leadership Foundation is the support and promotion of leadership throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region, and the support and promotion of cultural and historical preservation, education, tourism, agriculture, and recreation throughout the Delta region.

Founded in 2023 as the successor organization to Delta Regional Foundation and organized as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, Delta Leadership Foundation conducts two programs: Delta Champion Awards and Delta Leadership Program (in conjunction with Delta Protection Commission).

Delta Champions

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Since 2022, we have been celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to the Delta region by awarding Delta Champion Awards. Celebrated at a fall dinner in the Delta region, Delta Champions are recognized in the following categories: Delta Preserver, Delta Promoter, Delta Improver, Delta Legacy Family, and Delta Lifetime Achievement. The Foundation previously recognized Delta Innovators at its 2022 and 2023 award dinners.

In September, the Foundation awarded Delta Champion 2024 recipients: Russell van Loben Sels (Delta Preserver); Pear Fair (Delta Promoter); Rio Vista Food Pantry (Delta Improver); Dutra Family (Delta Legacy Family); and Gilbert Labrie (Delta Lifetime Achievement).

Delta Leadership Program

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In 2015, the Delta Protection Commission and generous sponsors collaborated to inaugurate the Delta Leadership Program. 

Over the course of five day-long seminars focusing on pressing Delta issues such as  Delta water, environment, public safety, cultural heritage, and regional economy, the Delta Leadership Program aims to accomplish the following goals:

  • Identify and promote regional leaders in the Delta community.
  • Develop skills and awareness to increase the pool of effective Delta leaders.
  • Expand leaders’ knowledge regarding the key issues, opportunities and challenges that face the Delta region
  • Identify emerging leaders and deliver skills and tools to enhance their contributions to the Delta community.
  • Build relationships of trust and cooperation between businesses, government, non-profit, civic, religious and cultural groups.
  • Foster a shared sense of community throughout the Delta region.

The Program graduated its 8th cohort in April 2024, and now has more than 100 alumni.

Nominations for Delta Leadership Program 2025 opened in September and the deadline for nomination is November 22, 2024.

For more information about the Delta Leadership Program, please visit: https://delta.ca.gov/delta-leadership-program-2025/