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.

Our Contributors

Sepi Aghdaee

Sepi supports the Fund’s grantmaking across programs and issues, including longtime community partnerships in the Bay Area.
Rachel Baker

Rachel works to strengthen the field of leadership development for social change.
Cathy Cha

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

Denis works to ensure that communications are at the core of the Fund’s efforts to advance rights and create opportunities.
Holly Delany Cole

Holly directs the Fund’s flagship leadership investment program, which helps grantees to build the leadership they need to reach their goals.
Matt Foreman

Matt oversees the Fund’s extensive support for the drive for equal rights and opportunities for LGBT people.
Victor Garcia
Walter J. Haas

In his leadership of the Haas, Jr. Fund, Walter J. Haas is guided by a commitment to serving the community and to creating opportunities for all people to succeed.
Ira Hirschfield

Ira oversees the Fund’s investments and leads its work on selected community partnerships.
Jennifer Kirschenbaum
Paula Morris

Paula has worked with the Fund’s Flexible Leadership Awards program since its inception in 2005, and was its program director until January 2015.
Beth Rayfield

Beth Rayfield is the director of institutional advancement at the Center for Community Change (CCC) and former development director at CHIRLA.
Robert Ross
Jennie Lehua Watson

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

Evan is the founder and President of Freedom to Marry, a longtime Fund partner and key player in the campaign to win marriage equality nationwide.
Linda Wood

Linda leads the Fund’s work to strengthen leaders, organizations and movements that are advancing social change.
Sylvia Yee

Sylvia served as the Fund’s Vice President of Programs

Resilience = Positive capacity to cope with stress and catastrophe

Resource Leaders

April 25, 2019 | by

Fellowship Program Elevates Leadership of Social Justice Fundraisers

Jeanne Bell shares how this fellowship of the Rockwood Leadership Institute is specifically focusing on supporting social justice development leaders.

This piece by Jeanne Bell was originally published in the Nonprofit Quarterly. In any type of nonprofit organization, development staff face a set of dynamics and challenges unique to their role in an organi…

Natalie Bui

Illustrator and Policy Advocate, Advancing Justice — Los Angeles

Recognizing trailblazing Asian American women who are leading and influencing social justice movements in California.

This interview was originally published in the article 5 Asian American Women Who Are Leading and Influencing Social Justice Movements in California. Can you give us some background about what you do?&…

Cynthia Buiza

Executive Director, California Immigrant Policy Center

Recognizing trailblazing Asian American women who are leading and influencing social justice movements in California.

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…

Welcoming the Fund’s New President

January 7, 2019 | by

Cathy Cha brings a record of collaborative results and a passion for fairness and justice to her new role.

In a letter to partners and colleagues, the Fund’s Board of Directors praises Cha as an innovator and a powerful champion for families and communities.

We are delighted to announce that we have named Cathy Cha President of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. Over the past two years, Cathy has served as the Fund’s Vice President of Programs during a planned leader…

A Letter From President Cathy Cha

January 7, 2019 | by

The Haas, Jr. Fund’s new President pledges to advance a positive vision of a just and compassionate society for all.

In a letter to partners and colleagues, Cathy Cha says the Fund will work collaboratively and boldly for change.

I am honored and humbled to step into my new role as President of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. Whether in the Bay Area or in other places across the country, our communities and our democracy are f…

Voices from the Field

Hear insights, challenges and breakthroughs from our grantees’ inspiring work.

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Cynthia Buiza

Executive Director, California Immigrant Policy Center

Recognizing trailblazing Asian American women who are leading and influencing social justice movements in California.

Read this Story

First Person Stories

See the issues at the heart of our work through the eyes of those most closely affected.

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Jirayut “New” Latthivongskorn

Future (undocumented) doctor

New once kept his undocumented status a secret from everyone outside his family. Today, he is proudly the first undocumented medical student at UCSF.

Read this Story

Cynthia Buiza

Executive Director, California Immigrant Policy Center

A Park For All

An Immigrant’s Perspective on Crissy Field

Lessons from California

Successes of California's Grass-Roots Activists Offer Lessons for All Grant Makers

Statement on Family Separation and Detention

Philanthropy Responds to Inhumane Family Separation and Detention Policies.

Cristina Jiménez

Advancing the Dream of Dignity for All Immigrants

Every Voice Shines New Light