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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"The Time Is Now" Sign at protest Letter from the President

Looking Ahead in Uncertain Times 

| by Cathy Cha

The Time Has Come to Build What’s Next

In 2026, the Haas, Jr. Fund is advancing our ambitions by focusing on root causes, bold ideas, greater agility, and deeper collaboration with funding and community partners to drive innovative solutions.

Even though the chaos continues, this year feels different to me. For Haas Jr., 2025 was a year for listening, shifting gears, and setting out to defend and respond to the fast-changing world around us. It was a yea…

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People holding signs at a protest

Standing Up for Immigrants, Standing Up for Democracy

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

What This Moment Is Calling on Us to Do

Community organizations are showing us what it means to build community, stand up for each other, link arms across issues, and stand up for democracy

Over the past several months, we’ve seen countless neighbors, friends, students, unions and businesses standing up for the rights and dignity of immigrants in this country. This is true not in just Minnesota, where…

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People voting at polling place

Protecting the Right to Vote

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

New Partnership Seeks to Safeguard, Expand Californians’ Democratic Rights

The California Democracy Partnership unites a growing network of funders and organizations around a shared agenda to establish California as a model of inclusive, multiracial democracy

We are in a time when democratic principles and norms are at grave risk. The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to further undermine the federal Voting Rights Act; the Trump administration is threatening to end mail votin…

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Woman holding Emmy award on basketball court

Kiana’s Story: How Hybrid Higher Education Supports Today’s Students

| by Monica Martinez in College Success

Her Story Reveals So Much About Our Current System of Higher Education

With its “hybrid” program, ASU Local has reimagined the college experience for thousands of students across the country, with 82% of its students coming from underrepresented communities

At the Haas, Jr. Fund, we believe a bachelor’s degree should be within reach for all students—especially first-generation and low-income students, and those who need the flexibility to work while pursuing their coll…

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Parents and two children sitting on a couch in their living room, evoking hope and togetherness in a season of financial need and community support. Letter from the President

Helping Our Neighbors in a Season of Record Need

| by Cathy Cha in Season of Sharing

Nonprofits are doing vital work and need additional support to help people

Season of Sharing has distributed nearly $220 million to Bay Area residents and families staring down unexpected financial crises.

The 2025 holiday season is feeling different to me—and I’m guessing I am not alone. It’s been an incredibly challenging year for our communities. The recent government shutdown, the high costs of housing and food, a…

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Woman with a child in court Letter from the President

From Crisis Response to Lasting Change

| by Cathy Cha

How can we build a future where people are not just surviving, but also thriving?

At Haas Jr., we are seeking to find a balance between responding to the many emergencies our communities are facing and the work that needs to be done to seed change

The heartbreaking stories are piling up. Immigrant neighbors living in fear of what’s next for them and their families. Lifelong public servants cast aside, their livelihoods gone. College students dealing with disa…

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