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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Daniel Lee

Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund Announces New President

| by Maliha Sadiq in Fund News

Former Levi Strauss Foundation Leader Daniel Lee to Guide Haas Jr.’s Closing Chapter

Lee brings deep roots in the Haas family’s philanthropic legacy and 25 years of field leadership.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Daniel Lee will become Haas Jr.’s next President and CEO, effective August 24, 2026. The former executive director of the Levi St…

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An Important Message from the Board of Directors of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

| by Walter J. Haas in Fund News

Marking its 75th anniversary, the Fund will sunset its work in 2028.

We will continue to support our key programs in Democracy, Immigrant Rights, and College Success at current grantmaking levels for the 2027 and 2028 calendar years.

Dear Friends,Seventy-three years ago, my parents created the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund to further their shared vision of a society in which every person has opportunities to thrive and live life with dignity…

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Photo of an interfaith vigil in Los Angeles Letter from the President

Freedom, Courage and Caring

| by Cathy Cha in Fund News

Finding Inspiration in Our Grantee Partners

We are inspired by the courage and care we’re seeing as people in California and nationwide exercise their constitutional right to organize and peacefully protest.

The economic, cultural, and community fabric of California depends on immigrants—their safety and well-being are essential to all of us. We are inspired by the courage and care we’re seeing as people in California a…

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Photo of a demonstrator holding a sign that reads "Love Over Hate" Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Inclusion and Belonging: No Time To Step Back

| by Cathy Cha in Fund News

Choosing to Remain Hopeful

The current moment calls on us to take a harder look at what we do and how we do it, and to explore new ways to find—and advance—our common humanity.

When I stepped into leadership five years ago at the Haas, Jr. Fund, I knew one thing for sure—we needed to keep pushing for a country and a society where we all belong.  The pandemic and the racial uprising of…

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Photo of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge overlooking the water Letter from the VP

Reflecting on Our Recent Grantee Perception Survey

| by Robert Joseph in Fund News

A Look Into What We Learned

As we continue to refine our strategies and grantmaking practices, these survey results provide helpful guidance on how we can better partner with our grantees

At the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, we strive for our work—both what we do and how we do it—to always reflect the insights of our community partners. That’s why we commissioned the Center for Effective Philanth…

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Headshot of College Success Program Director Monica Martinez

Welcoming Monica Martinez

| by Robert Joseph in Fund News

The Haas, Jr. Fund Welcomes New College Success Program Director

Martinez will lead strategies and partnerships for achieving the Fund’s goal of leveling the playing field in higher education and reducing the financial barriers to a college degree in California.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced it has hired Monica Martinez as program director for the Fund’s College Success program. In this position, Martinez will lead strategies and partnerships for achi…

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