In The News

In pursuing our vision, we believe that it is important to provide the best and most up-to-date information possible about our work , what drives it, and the grantees and partners who move it forward—as well as to make connections among people and organizations who are working toward common goals.

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)
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)
A Decade of Progress for LGBT Equality

As the decade draws to a close, a new report shows the past 10 years have been a period of dramatic gains in equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in America.
The Return of Keeping Score

A new season of the San Francisco Symphony's Keeping Score program brings the wonder of classical music to all. Haas, Jr. Fund President Ira Hirschfield talks about the inspiration behind the public outreach project in its earliest stages. (October 2009)
"America's Best Idea" Previewed at the White House

Back from a recent visit to Yellowstone with his family, President Obama gets a sneak preview of "America's Best Idea" and talks about the Parks
Next Steps For Marriage Equality

As opponents of California's Prop 8 continue to strategize about next steps for making marriage equality a reality across the state and country, the Haas, Jr. Fund's Program Director Matt Foreman weighs in on the challenges ahead. (July 2009)
Diversity and the National Parks

Shelton Johnson, an African American storyteller, musician and interpretive specialist at Yosemite National Park, talks about race and the national parks. Johnson appears in Ken Burns' upcoming film, "America's Best Idea." (August 2009)