Elena Hein

About Elena Hein

Mission-driven nonprofit professional with 20+ years of experience partnering with Oregon nonprofits to strengthen programs, partnerships, and community impact. Brings a dual perspective as both a grantseeker and community-based grantmaker, with experience advancing equitable funding practices and improving grants management and reporting systems. Skilled at connecting program outcomes, community insight, and evaluation data to inform strategy and support effective, relationship-centered grantmaking.With a background in fundraising and experience working alongside community-based organizations and public agencies, I bring a relationship-centered approach to my work. I value listening, trust-building, and collaboration, and I’m committed to practices that reduce barriers and center the expertise of the communities most affected.I have experience in-Supporting and managing programs that serve diverse communities-Building partnerships with nonprofits, agencies, and stakeholders-Applying an equity lens to program design and implementation-Using program evaluation and learning to inform strategy and improve outcomesMy graduate work in public administration strengthened my foundation in program evaluation, which continues to shape how I approach impact, learning, and continuous improvement. Colleagues often know me for my communication, empathy, and ability to connect with others—strengths I bring to building authentic partnerships and supporting meaningful, community-informed work.Gallup’s StrengthsFinder Top 5 strengths: Communication, Empathy, Adaptability, WOO (winning people over), and Developer (cultivating potential in others).

Experience

1. Grant Steering Committe Member Racial Equity Team Member Co-chair, Outreach Team

   Ninety-Nine Girlfriends

   Jan 2021 — Present · Portland, OR, US

   Collaborate with community leaders to evaluate funding impact and align giving priorities with racial equity goals, centering trust-based philanthropy principles to maximize community impact. • Review/evaluate grant proposals using an equity-centered rubric aligned with community priorities• Improve grantmaking processes by revising application materials and scoring rubrics to increase accessibility and clarity• Facilitate listening sessions/feedback loops with nonprofits to strengthen funding programs• Support transparent communication with applicants and provide constructive feedback• Build partnerships with nonprofit leaders and community stakeholders to advance shared goals• Translate community insight into strategy recommendations • Lead grant info sessions for nonprofit leaders to ensure understanding of the grant process

Education

• Portland Community College

  Associate of Arts - AA

• University of Oregon

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Spanish Major, Ethnic Studies Minor

  1998 — 2000

• Portland State University

  MPA, Master of Public Administration

  2009 — 2016