Elaine Nonneman, a long-time champion and donor with Social Justice Fund Northwest (SJF), sadly passed away in November 2024. She diligently attended meetings, provided loving feedback, and was a major donor for decades. Beyond her work with SJF, Elaine was a dedicated activist and philanthropist who supported many innovative projects throughout her long career in social justice.
We at SJF are deeply grieved by Elaine’s passing, but we are incredibly grateful to have been in community with her. We know her impact on our organization will have long lasting effects. For many SJF staff members, Elaine was the first donor they ever met, and for years, she exemplified what living and breathing trust-based philanthropy looks like. We are profoundly thankful to Elaine for her decades of tireless activism and generous support.
In gratitude, SJF community members have shared their thoughts on Elaine and her passing:
“I knew Elaine even before I started working at Social Justice Fund, as the foundation she created (Channel Foundation) supported grassroots work around human rights and gender justice in Latin America and around the world. In her personal capacity, Elaine was an early donor to A Territory Resource (the original name of SJF) going back to the early 1990s. She participated in grant committees and showed up at many ATR/SJF events over the years. In 2010, she received the Hunter-Pious Award at SJF’s annual gala for her long-term service to the organization.
Elaine consistently and thoughtfully praised SJF for our work and never asked for any kind of special treatment as a donor—other than an invitation to the next event. It brightened my mood when I’d see her stroll through the door (or join the Zoom room) since I knew her curiosity and positivity would be contagious. She was radical, humble, open-minded, analytic, and full of trust. She will be missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know her.”
– Burke Stansbury, former SJF Development Director
“I had my last conversation with Elaine at the SJF Changemakers Summit late October [2024], where we both participated in the Indigenous Idaho Alliance session. Elaine was a keen listener and encourager as the group shared the meaning of our names and culture. I am so grateful for that last interaction with her. Her passing feels symbolic of the baton being passed to younger generations to continue the work. We will all miss Elaine’s commitment to showing up, being inquisitive, contributing and engaging with SJF’s work. Elaine is now an ancestor, and may her contributions continue to echo moving forward.”
– Valeriana C.B. Estes, SJF Executive Director
Featured image: Elaine Nonneman with former SJF board member, George Cheung, at the 2009 Social Justice Fund Northwest Gala. (Photo courtesy of Burke Stansbury)
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