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

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)
New Project Targets Federal Agencies for LGBT Rights

A new project dedicated to making federal agency policies and practices more responsive to the rights and needs of the LGBT community has been announced by Public Interest Projects (PIP), the effort's fiscal sponsor. (January 2010)

In The News

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)
Foundations Invest in Census Outreach

With the 2010 census count around the corner, a group of private foundations are working with nonprofit partners across California to make sure everyone is counted. As the Contra Costa Times reports, the group is focusing their outreach efforts to connect with hard-to-reach communities who are often left out of the critical count. (December 2009)
Report Released on LGBT Rights

While enormous inequities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people remain a painful reality in the U.S., the past ten years have included remarkable progress in the struggle for equal rights. The San Francisco Chronicle covers the release of a new report on the decade's gains, and the challenges that still lie ahead. (December 2009)