At Educopia, we are deeply committed to fostering a sustainable work culture that supports the well-being of our team, promotes a healthy work-life balance, and allows us to deliver our best work to the communities we serve. In 2024, we shared our strategy and reasoning behind piloting Summer and Fall organization-wide closures, used our collective experiences and insights to adjust our model, and now are formally instituting annual, seasonal office closures in alignment with a key pillar of our organizational culture: Sustainable Labor Conditions for Staff Well-being and Growth. Formalizing these breaks, coupled with our unlimited paid time off policy, sets clear expectations for our team, our clients, and partners, while fostering a healthier, more balanced rhythm of work. Please find the dates for our planned office closures below:
2024 Winter Break
To kick off our holiday season, we are starting with our Winter Break, which will begin on December 23, 2024, and extend through January 3, 2025. During this period, our offices will be closed as we focus on spending quality time with family and friends, reflecting on the year past, and rejuvenating for the year ahead.
2025 Planned Office Closures
In 2025, we will continue to prioritize our team’s well-being with the following planned office closures:
- Spring Break: March 31 – April 4, 2025
We will take a collective break during this time to celebrate the arrival of spring and recharge after a busy start to the year. This is an opportunity for our team to step away from daily work, regroup, and return with renewed focus and energy. - Summer Break: July 28 – August 1, 2025
Our Summer Break gives team members the space to enjoy the warmer months, whether through travel, relaxation, or pursuing personal interests. This break is vital for maintaining the long-term productivity and satisfaction of our team, allowing them the time to recalibrate and strategize before ramping up for the fall season. - Fall Break: November 24 – November 28, 2025
During this time, we will observe a break coinciding with the Thanksgiving holiday, offering a moment for gratitude and reflection. This closure encourages the team to recharge before entering the final stretch of the year, supporting both personal well-being and professional success. - Winter Break: December 22 – December 26, 2025, and December 30, 2025 – January 2, 2026
As we wrap up the year, we will observe two separate breaks: one for the holiday season and another to mark the transition into the new year. This extended period will allow our team ample time to rest, spend time with loved ones, and prepare for a productive and positive start to the year ahead.
What This Means for You
For our partners, collaborators, and the broader community, please note that during these scheduled breaks, Educopia staff will be unavailable for meetings or correspondence. In advance of these closures, we will work directly with our communities, clients, and project partners to answer questions, plan for contingencies, and make any necessary scheduling changes. We encourage you to plan ahead and reach out to us in advance for any needs that require attention before these closures.
Through this initiative, we aim to inspire [just as we were inspired by Change Elemental, The Nap Ministry, New Profit, Invest in Open Infrastructure (IOI), CHANI, and North Star Fund] and cultivate a broader movement towards rest and regeneration within our field. We hope to create space for our peers and partners to reflect on how they, too, can prioritize well-being and establish sustainable work practices. As we navigate this journey toward a culture of collective trust and restorative practices, we welcome the opportunity to share our experiences, insights, and the questions we are grappling with—please reach out at communications@educopia.org. Together, we can create a culture that values both the work we do and the well-being that makes it possible.