Perspectives | Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

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.

Meng So

Director, Undocumented Student Program at U.C. Berkeley

Meng So works with undocumented students at Cal. He talks about the role of love in his work, the need for authentic voices in social movements, and his (unfulfilled) NBA dreams.

Where are you from? I was born along the Thailand/Cambodia border in a refugee camp and migrated to the Bay Area with my family and parents when I was two. Where do you call home? Home is my family. It’s a feelin…

Evan Wolfson

Founder, Freedom to Marry

Before he leaves on a “post-victory vacation,” Evan Wolfson shares some of the inspiration that sustained the fight for marriage equality. And what he wants on his tombstone.

Where do you call home? NYC Who are your heroes? Abraham Lincoln. Franklin Roosevelt. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dan Foley, my non-gay Hawaii co-counsel. Maurice Tempelsman (the man who won the heart of Jackie Kenne…

Asian community members march for immigrant rights

Taking on Wedge Politics

July 13, 2015 | by

On race, wedge politics, and what philanthropy can do

Program director Cathy Cha guest blogs for the Bay Area Justice Funders Network on how foundations can help confront tough issues as they come up.

With people of color now firmly in the majority in California, the long-term outlook for progressive causes in the state is bright. But conservatives got a taste of a winning formula last year when they used wedge p…

Gay couple weds in San Francisco City Hall when there was a legal window for same-sex marriage

Celebrating Historic Win, Bracing for Work Ahead

June 28, 2015 | by

Reflections on supporting the freedom to marry

In this San Francisco Chronicle op-ed, Haas, Jr. Fund trustee Robert D. Haas talks about the Fund's decision to support marriage equality 15 years ago.

This op-ed was originally published by the San Francisco Chronicle here. Now that the Supreme Court has weighed in with its historic decision to make marriage equality the law of the land, I am reminded of a he…

Gay pride flag waves by San Francisco City Hall after SCOTUS announcement

Philanthropy’s Role in the Marriage Win

June 28, 2015 | by

Lessons for other social justice causes

In this Chronicle of Philanthropy op-ed, Freedom to Marry founder Evan Wolfson reflects on how the movement has come so far, so fast.

This op-ed was originally published by the Chronicle of Philanthropy here. The Supreme Court’s freedom-to-marry ruling was a momentous and inspiring win not just for gay people and our loved ones but also for A…

Celebrating This Historic Moment

June 26, 2015 | by

Today, love won

June 2015’s Supreme Court decision on the freedom to marry is an enormous step forward for equality.

Today’s Supreme Court decision on the freedom to marry is a victory for equality—and it is a testament to the incredible things people can accomplish when working together for social change. Fourteen years ago, w…

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Every Voice Shines New Light

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