Perspectives | Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

Why Don’t Foundations Invest More in Social Sector Leadership?

July 14, 2014 | by

Fund president Ira Hirschfield discusses the need for funders to do more

Foundation support for leadership development is under 1%. That's not nearly enough.

This op-ed was originally published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy on July 14, 2014. Many economists say the U.S. economic recovery will stay in the slow lane until American companies finally ramp up capital sp…

The “Sense-Making” Role of Nonprofit Boards

July 8, 2014 | by

in

How nonprofit boards can help organizations think big

Later this year, the Fund will publish a report on real-world insights into board development. Here’s a sneak preview of what we are learning about the power that nonprofit boards can have when working with staff to achieve real impact.

Nonprofit boards can play a vital leadership role for their organizations. But all too often, organizations do not tap the full power of their boards. In a forthcoming report from the Haas Leadership Initiative, we…

Lesbian moms smile with their son and daughter

A Year After Windsor

June 26, 2014 | by

in

Progress and pitfalls for gay rights

One year after the Windsor decision, let’s celebrate the tsunami of positive change we’ve seen. At the same time, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the finish line is still a long way off.

On the morning of June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively outlawed federal discrimination against same-sex married couples with its decision in United States v. Windsor. The decision was the culminati…

What Lies Ahead for Our Work

April 14, 2014 | by

in

Spring 2014 Letter from the President

What will it take to help social change leaders, organizations, and movements keep pushing forward?

Achieving real and lasting social change is grinding, difficult work. This is why I have profound respect and admiration for leaders the Haas, Jr. Fund supports. These are the people in the trenches, the ones who…

Putri walking on Ocean Beach with her mom

Siti Dyannie Rahmaputri

In

Studying neurobiology, while fearing deportation

Putri was brought to the U. S. from Indonesia by her parents when she was 11. She was preparing to enter college when the family faced the threat of being deported back.

Siti Dyannie Rahmaputri (“Putri”) was born in 1993 in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is an only child. Putri and her parents left Indonesia for the United States on temporary visas when she was 11. Her father had been a ba…

Both Sides of Social Justice

November 27, 2013 | by

in

Winter 2013 Letter from the President

Fund president Ira Hirschfield reflects on why the road to justice must also include emergency support for struggling families.

In my role as president of an established family foundation, I am often approached for advice by generous and caring people who want to help make critical changes in the world through philanthropy. Thoughtfully, the…

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