Honoring Bill Clapp, Co-founder of Seattle International Foundation
June 4, 2026
SIF mourns the passing of our co-founder, Bill Clapp, and celebrates the extraordinary life he devoted to justice and human rights in Central America.
The Seattle International Foundation (SIF) mourns the loss of Bill Clapp, who passed away on May 29, 2026. He co-founded SIF in 2008 alongside his wife and partner Paula Clapp.
Bill’s connection to Central America began in 1992, when he and Paula traveled to El Salvador and saw first-hand what was possible when communities had access to resources and support. That visit stayed with them. In 2008, after years of work in the region, they founded SIF with the belief that philanthropy from the Pacific Northwest could make a real difference in Central America. In the same decade, they also founded several philanthropic organizations in Seattle, including Global Washington, the Initiative for Global Development and Global Partnerships.
As our Co-Founder and Board President, Bill helped SIF grow into a trusted partner for civil society organizations, journalists, youth movements, and women’s groups across the region.
We also honor Paula Clapp, whose partnership with Bill was at the heart of everything they built. Together, they modeled what it means to give generously and with genuine respect for the communities and leaders they served.
SIF extends our deepest condolences to Paula, to the entire Clapp family, and to the many people in the U.S. and Central America who were shaped by his belief in the leaders working to transform the region. Bill’s passing is a loss felt across the region he loved.
The partnerships forged, and the organizations and leaders that SIF has supported during his years of leadership are a testament to what Bill and Paula built. In 2020, after decades of service in philanthropy and international development, the Clapps stepped down from the SIF Board, leaving a powerful legacy of deep commitment to Central America.
“Bill cared deeply about the leaders doing this work and understood that lasting change comes from within communities, not from outside them. The countless leaders and organizations across Central America who carry this work forward every day are a living testament to that conviction. His values and enduring commitment have always guided SIF and continue to shape how we operate, with a steadfast focus on supporting local leadership,” said Adriana Beltrán, Executive Director, Seattle International Foundation.
We remain committed to Central America and to the work Bill cared so deeply about, especially now, when solidarity with the region has never mattered more. That is how we honor him.
Thank you, Bill. We are profoundly grateful.
To honor Bill’s memory and celebrate his impact, we invite you to view and contribute messages to our memorial board.
