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Oakland community canvassers walking in a residential neighborhood

PIVOT: Breaking Ground on Trust-Based Philanthropy

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

Betting Big on Narrative Change to Support a Multiracial California

Powerful Innovations for Voter Organizing and Transformation (PIVOT) seeks to build power for communities of color.

Diana Colín is the director of an exciting new grantmaking initiative housed at the California Community Foundation called Powerful Innovations for Voter Organizing and Transformation (PIVOT). As a collaborative “ta…

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Headshot of Immigrant Rights Program Director Elica Vafaie

Welcoming Elica Vafaie, Our New Immigrant Rights Program Director

| by Robert Joseph

Elica is a civil rights lawyer with a career focused on advancing immigrant rights.

She will lead the Fund's strategies and partnerships to build the power and voice of immigrants to find safety, opportunity, and representation in California and nationwide.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced it has hired Elica Vafaie as program director for its Immigrant Rights program. In this position, she will lead strategies and partnerships to build the power and…

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Portrait of the Haas, Jr. family Letter from the President

Reflecting on 70 Years of Impact

| by Cathy Cha

Marking our 70th Anniversary by Celebrating the Power of People

Since our founding in 1953, the Haas, Jr. Fund’s grantmaking has revolved around the people and organizations on the front lines of social and community change.

From the beginning, Evelyn and Walter Haas had a commitment to, and belief in, the power of people to drive positive change.It was the leadership and enthusiasm of people around them—people who were organizing their…

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Photo of California's Reparations Task Force

This Juneteenth, Let’s Recommit to Building Power in Black Communities

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

A time to reckon with the lasting effect of discrimination on Black community participation

An interim report from California's Reparations Task Force explores, in part, the many ways in which California has sought to disenfranchise Black voters and other voters of color.

Juneteenth is a time to remember the abomination of slavery in the United States, commemorate its end, and honor the contributions of Black Americans. It’s also an opportunity to renew our commitment to seeking a mo…

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Center for Inclusive Democracy event flyer

Voter Access in California Elections: An Education Series

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

A legislative briefing series by USC's Center for Inclusive Democracy

Each session will feature leading experts discussing the latest research on topics impacting California voters.

We are proud to partner with the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC to present a six-part legislative briefing series examining elections reform, voter access, voter participation, and equity in California e…

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Deanna Kitamura testifying before the California State Assembly

Grantee Spotlight: Deanna Kitamura of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus

| by Raúl Macías in Democracy

Tackling barriers to voting to create a stronger, more inclusive democracy

Democracy Program Director Raúl Macías recently sat down with Kitamura to discuss her life and career in civil rights law as well as her work to expand language access for AAPI communities and others.

Deanna Kitamura is a longtime California civil rights attorney and has been a leader over the last decade in working to expand voting rights and strengthen election systems to be more inclusive. In addition to being…

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Haas, Jr. Fund Newsletter

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June 2023
Seven Leaders Transforming California and Beyond
March 2023
Imagine A California Where We All Belong
December 2022
Reflecting on the 2022 Midterm Elections
October 2022
Back to School is a Time of Possibility