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
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 2024, the Foundation recognized 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).
TO NOMINATE A DELTA CHAMPION FOR 2025, please submit a brief nomination letter to eavink@gmail.com
The letter should indicate the person/entity/family nominated and the reasons for the nomination, and should include contact information (telephone and email address) for the nominator and the nominee. Nominations will be accepted until June 27, 2025 and awardees will be celebrated at a dinner in Thornton (Silverdale Ranch) on Tuesday, September 9.
Delta Leadership Program
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 commenced its 9th cohort in January 2025, and now has more than 100 alumni.
Nominations for Delta Leadership Program 2026 will open in September 2025 and the deadline for nomination will be in November 2025.
For more information about the Delta Leadership Program, please visit: Delta Leadership Program – Delta Protection Commission