Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund

Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund is a private foundation established in 1958 by Evelyn Haas and Walter Haas Jr., heirs to the Levi Strauss & Co. fortune. The foundation is based in San Francisco, California, and has been instrumental in supporting various causes, including LGBT rights, immigrant rights, and education reform. The fund has also been a major supporter of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Over the years, the foundation has worked closely with other philanthropic organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

● History

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund was established in 1958 by Evelyn Haas and Walter Haas Jr., who were committed to using their wealth to make a positive impact on society. The foundation's early work focused on supporting arts and culture organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the San Francisco Symphony and the de Young Museum. In the 1980s, the foundation began to shift its focus towards supporting social justice causes, including AIDS research and LGBT rights. The foundation has also been a long-time supporter of environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy. The fund has worked closely with other foundations, such as the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, to address pressing environmental issues.

● Mission and Focus

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund's mission is to support organizations and initiatives that promote social justice, education, and arts and culture. The foundation's focus areas include LGBT rights, immigrant rights, and education reform, with a particular emphasis on supporting organizations that serve low-income communities and communities of color. The foundation has also been a strong supporter of youth development programs, including those offered by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA. The fund has worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, to improve education outcomes for all students. The foundation's work is guided by a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it has been recognized for its leadership in promoting philanthropic best practices by organizations such as the Council on Foundations and the Independent Sector.

● Grantmaking and Initiatives

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund provides grants to organizations and initiatives that align with its mission and focus areas. The foundation's grantmaking has supported a wide range of organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Teach For America. The foundation has also launched several initiatives, including the Haas, Jr. Fund's LGBT Equality Initiative, which aims to promote LGBT equality and inclusion in California and beyond. The fund has worked closely with other foundations, such as the Arcus Foundation and the Gill Foundation, to support LGBT rights organizations and initiatives. The foundation has also supported research initiatives at institutions such as Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

● Leadership and Governance

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund is led by a board of directors that includes Robert Haas, Walter Haas Jr.'s son, and other family members and philanthropic leaders. The foundation's staff is headed by a president and CEO, who is responsible for overseeing the foundation's grantmaking and initiatives. The foundation is also guided by a board of advisors, which includes experts in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and social justice. The fund has worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and the Philanthropy Roundtable, to promote best practices in philanthropy and nonprofit management.

● Notable Grants and Partnerships

The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund has made several notable grants and partnerships over the years, including a major grant to the California Endowment to support health care reform in California. The foundation has also partnered with the James Irvine Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to support education reform initiatives in California. The fund has worked closely with other organizations, such as the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to support civil rights and social justice causes. The foundation has also supported arts and culture organizations, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the California Shakespeare Theater. The fund's grants and partnerships have had a significant impact on the lives of low-income communities and communities of color in California and beyond.