Keiko Koizumi

Keiko Koizumi, a Social Justice Fund member since 2004, leads a busy life as a partner, new Mom, telecommuting professional and active volunteer.

Through her work as Senior Program Manager for Leadership for a Changing World, a partnership of the Advocacy Institute, the Ford Foundation and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at NYU, Keiko had heard about the Social Justice Fund, formerly known as “A Territory Resource.” When she moved to Seattle in 2002, Keiko found it hard to get to know the local progressive scene, but she had a chance to meet and talk with Soya Jung Harris, SJF’s Grants and Program Director. “Social Justice Fund was helpful as a guide, a good way to get to know who’s doing what,” Keiko commented.

Keiko credits Social Justice Fund for serving as a tremendous resource for donors and others eager to learn about community and social justice organizations, primarily due to the intense scrutiny of their grant making process. “They do the homework so you can have the confidence that grantee organizations are well-run, strategic and effective, operating based in the progressive values and ideals that are important to me.”

One of those Social Justice Fund ideals has particularly impressed Keiko: “They are unapologetically committed to racial and class equity. Their fierce commitment is eye opening, an affirmation that funders and activists alike should never skirt around these issues.” Keiko feels SJF walks their talk in staffing and how they work with volunteers and grantees, “compared to other funding entities, that’s rare.”

In 2006, Keiko will continue her work on the Basic Grants Committee. Site visits and meeting with activists on the front lines “has been a shot in the arm,” to understand directly what they are doing, especially in the Asian-Pacific Islander community (API). A Japanese American, Keiko grew up in New England “which did not have a strong API community. Being here in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve learned more about the intricacies within the API community, and the diverse strategies in which activists are effectively addressing the complex issues facing our communities.”

“My partner and I are very proud of our Social Justice Fund membership, and appreciative of the resources they provide,” Keiko offered as she summarized the importance of her SJF involvement. “In light of our oppressive political leadership, it’s very important for ordinary people to have faith and stay involved by investing money and time in community work that effectively fights the ever-rising barriers. We appreciate the resources SJF pumps into communities, not just money, but information and support, and encourage others to get involved.”