February 2005

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

This foundation, like many others, is primarily focused on local issues; we spend much of our time immersed in the ups and downs of San Francisco and Oakland’s low income neighborhoods, community organizations, and public schools. It is easy to get bogged down in detail, and difficult at times to keep one’s perspective. But, sometimes, discrete events shake us out of our daily routine, and remind us of our global connections and responsibilities. The Indian Ocean tsunami is one of these.

I am pleased to announce that the trustees of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund have made an extraordinary grant in response to this extraordinary disaster. The Fund is providing $500,000 for tsunami relief efforts through grants to American Jewish World Services (AJWS) and Oxfam America. While distinct in focus, these two highly respected organizations share a long term commitment to the region, and have existing relationships with indigenous organizations. Both organizations have track records for efficiently using funds, and both will be engaged in emergency as well as ongoing reconstruction efforts.

The Fund’s contribution to tsunami relief will be in addition to our 2005 grantmaking budget, so as not to divert resources needed in the Bay Area (a lesson learned from the impact of 9/11 on many local organizations). In regards to our own backyard, we have recently issued revised guidelines for Jewish Life, bringing that program area fully into alignment with the Fund’s strategic plan. Also, based on feedback from grantees, and emerging lessons from our grantmaking, we have tweaked our guidelines for the Arts and Economic Security program areas. Internally, we have been working diligently to identify common outcomes within and across our program areas, so that we can more easily capture key lessons, share them with grantees and other colleagues, and continue to improve the effectiveness of our work.

We also have focused increasingly on the “non-monetary” contributions foundations can make. The Fund is fortunate to have a talented set of program officers, with great depth of knowledge and on-the-ground experience. From convening funders and practitioners at the intersection of our Arts and Jewish life program areas, to hosting broad-ranging briefings on asset and ownership opportunities in low income communities—W&EHF staff consistently seek ways to bring people together across sectors, share information, and identify ways our work can be done more effectively and collaboratively.

I am also pleased to announce that we have received generous multi-year support from the William and Flora Hewlett and the James Irvine foundations for the Creative Work Fund, begun nearly ten years ago by four Haas-related family foundations, and managed by Arts program officer Frances Phillips. The Creative Work Fund has become a national model of linking artists to non-profit organizations. In recognition of its importance, and relevance to the Fund’s strategic plan, the foundation’s Board of Trustees also has increased the Walter & Elise Haas Fund’s financial support of and commitment to the Creative Work Fund.

Thanks for taking the time to visit our web site. We keep trying to improve its timeliness and usefulness. If you have any feedback on our web site, please do let us know.

In peace,


Pamela H. David
Executive Director

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