Nancy Skinner Nordhoff

Nancy Skinner Nordhoff (1932 – January 7, 2026) was an American philanthropist and environmentalist. Nordhoff's work is primarily focused in the Seattle and Langley, Washington regions, where she worked to empower women, support rural communities and promote environmentalism of Washington's flora and fauna. In 2006, she was designated a Women's History Month Honoree by the National Women's History Project.

Background Nordhoff was raised in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle, Washington by her parents, Winifred and Gilbert Skinner. She was the youngest daughter of three children. Her family are historically philanthropists. Her grandmother, Jeannette C. Skinner was one of the founders of the Seattle Children's Hospital, and her grandfather, Edward Skinner, was intricate in Alaska's economy. Her brother, D.E. Ned Skinner helped to improve Seattle life during the 20th-century and helped create the 1962 Seattle World's Fair and would help fund the restoration of the 5th Avenue Theatre.

Philanthropic career

halign = left Nordhoff generously puts her money, time, and energy into visionary projects. Her sense of achievement comes not only from funding and building, but from having an idea and taking action to make it happen. The National Women's History Project, 2006 In 1985, after her mid-life crisis, Nordhoff built and founded the Hedgebrook Writer's Retreat.