Perspectives by Robert Joseph

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.

Robert Joseph Vice President of Programs

Robert oversees the Haas, Jr. Fund’s grantmaking and the development of program strategies.

A photo of voters standing in line at a polling place

A Pivotal Year for Our Communities

March 25, 2024 | by

Our grantmaking is focused on some of the key issues up for debate this election year

Philanthropy and our nonprofit partners cannot achieve our goals if we don't have strong, healthy, and functioning democratic systems.

The March elections in California recorded historically low voter turnout for a primary election. As we look ahead to November, it’s one more piece of evidence that the time is now for funders in California and beyo…

Photo of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge overlooking the water

Reflecting on Our Recent Grantee Perception Survey

November 14, 2023 | by

A Look Into What We Learned

As we continue to refine our strategies and grantmaking practices, these survey results provide helpful guidance on how we can better partner with our grantees

At the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, we strive for our work—both what we do and how we do it—to always reflect the insights of our community partners. That’s why we commissioned the Center for Effective Philanth…

Photo of an undocumented college grad hugging someone on stage during graduation

The Power of Narrative

September 12, 2023 | by

How We're Leaning into Narrative Change to Advance Equity

Across our programs, we're supporting grantee partners to share perspectives and stories that can break through the noise.

As college and university students in California and around the country settle into the rhythms of another academic year, there’s a troubling narrative making the rounds that a college education just isn’t worth it.…

Welcoming Elica Vafaie, Our New Immigrant Rights Program Director

July 12, 2023 | by

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…

Welcoming Monica Martinez

February 21, 2023 | by

The Haas, Jr. Fund Welcomes New College Success Program Director

Martinez will lead strategies and partnerships for achieving the Fund’s goal of leveling the playing field in higher education and reducing the financial barriers to a college degree in California.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund today announced it has hired Monica Martinez as program director for the Fund’s College Success program. In this position, Martinez will lead strategies and partnerships for achi…

A group of demonstrators rallying in support of protecting Asian American lives

Next Gen Organizing for Change

October 5, 2022 | by

New Initiative Seeks to Activate the Next Generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander Californians

The power-building initiative Activate California, launched in early 2022, recently announced the appointment of its new director, Jonathan Tran.

“What is our response?” That was the question driving a series of conversations among Asian American activists and leaders after a horrific episode of gun violence in Atlanta in March 2021 left eight people dead,…

Delivering on the Promise of Higher Education

October 5, 2022 | by

Additional investment and action needed to make college truly accessible for all Californians

California Community Colleges Interim Chancellor Daisy Gonzales talks about expanding access, equity, and affordability across the 116-campus system.

California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It includes 116 colleges serving 1.8 million students per year. As interim chancellor, Daisy Gonzales, Ph.D., has been overseein…

How Philanthropy Can Support Black Power Building

May 25, 2022 | by

Checking in with two Black Leaders: Kaci Patterson and James Woodson

Our conversations lift up important insights into what Black-led organizations driving the racial justice movement need right now to thrive for the long haul—and the critical role philanthropy can play.

Over two years ago, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by a police officer on a street outside a grocery store in Minneapolis. The event sparked national outrage on issues of race—and forced philanthropy to…