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 and organizations who have made significant contributions to the Delta region through the Delta Champions recognition.
Delta Champions are recognized in the following categories:
Delta Preserver – Achievement in historical or environmental preservation
Delta Promoter – Achievement in tourism, agriculture, education, commerce, and/or the arts
Delta Improver – Achievement in Delta health, community, and/or quality of life
Delta Legacy Family – A family that has contributed to the Delta for at least 100 years through multi-generational professional and volunteer activities that have enhanced the quality of life of the region.
Delta Lifetime Achievement – Lifetime achievement in preservation, protection and promotion of the Delta
DELTA CHAMPIONS 2025 will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 9 at a dinner in Thornton. The 2025 Delta Champions are:
Delta Preserver – Sacramento River Delta Historical Society
Delta Promoter – Rio Vista Bass Derby
Delta Improver – Steve Mello
Delta Legacy Family – The Nunn Family of Contra Costa County
Delta Lifetime Achievement – Clarence Chu
Tickets to the dinner are $65 and can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/B98WAA
For ticket purchases of 6 or more, please contact Erik Vink at 530-304-5499
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