by Elica Vafaie Let the Games Begin The World Cup is an Opportunity to Showcase Core Values and Democratic Principles Haas Jr. partners are working to promote joy, welcome, and safety for fans, immigrant communities.
by Cathy Cha Looking Ahead in Uncertain Times 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. Photo courtesy of Theo Rigby
Immigrant Rights by Elica Vafaie Standing Up for Immigrants, Standing Up for Democracy 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 Photo courtesy of Peg Hunter
Democracy by Raúl Macías Protecting the Right to Vote 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 Photo by Sue Peri
College Success by Monica Martinez Kiana’s Story: How Hybrid Higher Education Supports Today’s Students 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
VP of Finance Michael Blake to Step Down April 29, 2016 | by Ira Hirschfield in Fund News 22 years of service at the Fund, and to the field of foundation finances Michael has served as a superb and ethical steward of the Fund’s finances and a steadfast champion of its guiding values of equity and opportunity. I am writing with the news that Michael Blake will be stepping down in December as Vice President of Finance with the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. In his 22 years at the Fund, Michael has served as… Continue Reading
Let Local Groups Lead with Their Issues April 13, 2016 | by Cathy Cha in Immigrant Rights Give families and communities a greater voice A new report shares reflections on what’s working to strengthen democracy in four California counties In 2012 in San Diego, a lot of people showed up to vote who had never (or rarely) voted before. The reason: local social change organizations worked together to mobilize tens of thousands of people—including large n… Continue Reading
Fundraising Answers Are All Around Us April 13, 2016 | by Linda Wood in Leadership How are some social change organizations achieving standout fundraising success? Hint: It’s less about the latest tools and techniques, and more about organizational culture, leadership and discipline. “Let’s find an outside expert who can help.” It’s a natural impulse in the search for answers to the chronic fundraising challenges facing so many nonprofit organizations. But what if the real answers were already a… Continue Reading
Letter from the President Working Together for Progress March 30, 2016 | by Ira Hirschfield in Fund News Spring 2016 Letter from the President As the Presidential election sparks heated debate about the future of our country, the Fund remains committed to supporting the incredible work of our grantee partners. The Presidential election has surfaced deep differences and sparked heated debate about the future of the country. It is against this backdrop of change and uncertainty that I find hope and inspiration in the steadf… Continue Reading
A Culture Shift for Fundraising February 29, 2016 | by Linda Wood in Leadership What is a “culture of philanthropy”—and why does it matter? New paper drills down on an emerging concept in nonprofit fundraising. Three years ago, the Haas, Jr. Fund joined with CompassPoint Nonprofit Services to produce a study, UnderDeveloped, documenting the chronic fundraising challenges facing today’s nonprofits. One possible path to addr… Continue Reading
Letter from the VP How Are We Doing? January 21, 2016 | by Sylvia Yee Grantees Assess the Fund’s Impact and Performance Center for Effective Philanthropy survey of the Haas, Jr. Fund’s grantees identifies strengths, areas for improvement The Haas, Jr. Fund recently commissioned the Center for Effective Philanthropy to conduct a survey of the Fund’s grantees. The Center’s Grantee Perception Reports provide an opportunity for foundations to get anonym… Continue Reading