Every Voice Shines New Light

The value of an idea increases exponentially when it’s shared. From our staff, partners and grantees to the people impacted by their efforts, each perspective offers new insight into the critical issues at the heart of our work.

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Headshot of Immigrant Rights Program Director Elica Vafaie

Welcoming Elica Vafaie, Our New Immigrant Rights Program Director

| by Robert Joseph

Elica is a civil rights lawyer with a career focused on advancing immigrant rights.

She will lead the Fund's strategies and partnerships to build the power and voice of immigrants to find safety, opportunity, and representation in California and nationwide.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced it has hired Elica Vafaie as program director for its Immigrant Rights program. In this position, she will lead strategies and partnerships to build the power and…

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Portrait of the Haas, Jr. family Letter from the President

Reflecting on 70 Years of Impact

| by Cathy Cha

Marking our 70th Anniversary by Celebrating the Power of People

Since our founding in 1953, the Haas, Jr. Fund’s grantmaking has revolved around the people and organizations on the front lines of social and community change.

From the beginning, Evelyn and Walter Haas had a commitment to, and belief in, the power of people to drive positive change.It was the leadership and enthusiasm of people around them—people who were organizing their…

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Photo of California's Reparations Task Force

This Juneteenth, Let’s Recommit to Building Power in Black Communities

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

A time to reckon with the lasting effect of discrimination on Black community participation

An interim report from California's Reparations Task Force explores, in part, the many ways in which California has sought to disenfranchise Black voters and other voters of color.

Juneteenth is a time to remember the abomination of slavery in the United States, commemorate its end, and honor the contributions of Black Americans. It’s also an opportunity to renew our commitment to seeking a mo…

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Center for Inclusive Democracy event flyer

Voter Access in California Elections: An Education Series

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

A legislative briefing series by USC's Center for Inclusive Democracy

Each session will feature leading experts discussing the latest research on topics impacting California voters.

The Haas, Jr. Fund was proud to recently partner with the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC to present a six-part legislative briefing series examining elections reform, voter access, voter participation, a…

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Deanna Kitamura testifying before the California State Assembly

Grantee Spotlight: Deanna Kitamura of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

Tackling barriers to voting to create a stronger, more inclusive democracy

Democracy Program Director Raúl Macías recently sat down with Kitamura to discuss her life and career in civil rights law as well as her work to expand language access for AAPI communities and others.

Deanna Kitamura is a longtime California civil rights attorney and has been a leader over the last decade in working to expand voting rights and strengthen election systems to be more inclusive. In addition to being…

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Demonstrators rallying for racial justice Letter from the President

Imagine a California Where We All Belong

| by Cathy Cha

We need to keep pushing for belonging for people that historically have not had equal access

Reflecting on the good work happening across many fronts to make our state more inclusive.

When I walked into the Fannie Lou Hamer Center for the first time, I instantly felt the warmth and comfort of this community space for Black students at UC Berkeley. Tucked away in a lesser-known part of campus, it’…

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California's state capital building

Advancing Belonging Through Budget Advocacy

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

Ensuring local leaders have a voice in the budget process

The Budget Power Project aims to support communities across California to have a voice and influence in decisions on public spending.

A budget is a statement of values. In other words, how government spends public money is a reflection of what we care about most as communities and as a society. All too often, however, the work of crafting governme…

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