Press Room

The Haas, Jr. Fund is a private family foundation led by the late Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr.’s children. Walter J. Haas is chair of the board of trustees, Robert D. Haas is Treasurer and Betsy Haas Eisenhardt is Secretary.

Recent Press Releases

Preparing for the Integration of Undocumented Farm Workers

Eleven organizations, led by United Farm Workers’ Foundation and Farmworker Justice, are launching new efforts to plan for the integration of more than one million farm workers and their families once the federal government enacts a pathway to legalization. (December 2010)
Study Released on Polling Regarding Marriage Equality

A groundbreaking report released today analyzing a decade’s worth of polling on ballot measures regarding marriage for same-sex couples found that forces supporting and opposing marriage equality had little success at changing voter sentiment during these campaigns. (June 2010)
Cal Launches Pioneering Initiative on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

On a campus long dedicated to educating Californians of every background, a major effort was announced to establish the University of California, Berkeley, as a national leader in research, teaching and public service related to equity and inclusion. (February 2010)

In The News

Californians' Rare Chance to Reform Government

California Forward is a nonpartisan group working to develop solutions to California's broad range of governance challenges. In this Special to the Sacramento Bee, president and CEO of the James Irvine Foundation, James Canales, calls on all Californians to join this important conversation. "We see before us a confluence of forces that is creating one of those unique – perhaps once-in-a-generation – opportunities to rise above the political fray and shape the future of our state." (February 2011)
Team-Up for Youth Shines a Light on Oakland Girls in Need

February 2, 2011 marked the 25th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Across the country, people celebrated the great strides women and girls have made in the sports world. But one group that didn’t have much to celebrate are girls living in low-income communities and communities of color. This year, Team-Up for Youth honored National Girls and Women in Sports Day by shining a spotlight on this most vulnerable population. (February 2011)
Series Examines Immigration Reform

On March 24, HBO began broadcasting How Democracy Works Now, a series examining the personal struggles and political challenges behind today's immigration reform movement. Six years in the making, the series opened with The Last Best Chance, the inside story of the final battle for Senator Kennedy's dream of immigration reform. (March 2010)