Perspectives by Cathy Cha

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.

Cathy Cha President & CEO

Cathy leads the Fund’s work to advance rights and create opportunities for all people.

Green sign with white letters stating "The Time Is Now!" in front of city hall

IT’S UP TO ALL OF US

January 5, 2021 | by

Advancing Equality and Justice After a Year Like No Other

Cathy Cha shares the Haas Jr. Fund’s priorities for 2021 and beyond.

As we enter the new year, it’s stunning to think about how much our world has changed, and how fast. A year ago, we didn’t know how a virus on the other side of the world would affect our country. We didn’t know tha…

Voting location sign in four different languages

“Everything is at Stake”

October 26, 2020 | by

Creating Opportunities for Greater Civic Engagement

Across California, nonprofit and community leaders are working 24-7 to make sure there’s a power surge in communities of color this year and into the future.

In the lead-up to Election Day, I find inspiration in what’s happening in places like Fresno, California. That’s where a partnership of diverse organizations are working together to lift up the voice and power—and t…

Standing Together

July 6, 2020 | by

An Open Letter from California Philanthropic Organizations

Together with our fellow philanthropic leaders, we stand together for a just and inclusive California

A pledge from California philanthropic organizations: The COVID–19 public health and economic crisis and the murders of Black Americans by police, have laid bare the deep inequities across our state. We need bold…

“We Stand With You”

June 18, 2020 | by

An Open Letter to Undocumented Young People

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the DACA program, Haas, Jr. Fund President Cathy Cha thanks young undocumented people for their leadership and pledges continuing support and solidarity for the movement.

At a challenging time for all of us, I wanted to send a note to the young people across our country who are undocumented. With the Supreme Court’s ruling today that the Trump administration cannot end the Deferre…

Thank You

June 18, 2020 | by

Youth-Led Movement Made DACA Happen

The Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the DACA program inspires an appreciation for young undocumented immigrants and their powerful call for justice.

On June 18, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could not end the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. Since 2012, DACA has enabled more than 800,000 young undocumented immig…

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Changing the Odds

September 30, 2019 | by

Testing New Approaches for Protecting and Advancing Basic Rights and Opportunities for All.

Haas, Jr. Fund President Cathy Cha on moving past a challenging moment in U.S. history and investing in positive, long-term solutions for immigrants and communities of color.

Whether I am picking up my seven-year-old daughter or attending a performance at her elementary school, the scenario is often the same. I see her little face scanning the room to find me in the crowd. Then our eyes…

Lifting Up Community Voices

June 17, 2019 | by

Summer 2019 Letter from the President

In this letter, President Cathy Cha shares how new communities across the country are making their voices heard through organizing and coming together to work for change.

No matter where we are on the political spectrum, I think we can all agree that more participation in our democracy makes the country stronger. As we mark the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising for LGB…

Rethinking Social Justice Grantmaking

February 4, 2019 | by

Cathy Cha on Philanthropy and the Power of Partnership

The Haas, Jr. Fund’s new president talks with Philanthropy News Digest about breaking down silos, advancing equity and diversity, and working together to strengthen democracy.

This piece was originally published in Philanthropy News Digest. Cathy Cha, who officially stepped into the role of president of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund in January, has long worked to advance new mod…