About the Fund: From the Executive Director

September 2008

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

The staff and trustees of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund have had a productive summer. After much deliberation and consideration of the Fund’s legacy, the trustees have approved an important revision to the Jewish Life program guidelines.  This revision reflects a sharper focus on promoting diversity within the Jewish community and building partnerships for social justice.  Our overall goal of promoting a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community that promotes participation in Jewish life and the broader pluralistic society remains unchanged.

This summer has also brought about the formalization of the Fund’s “West Wall” project. Over the years, the Walter and Elise Haas Fund has been a consistent supporter of the arts, through our regular grantmaking and through our stewardship and sponsorship of the Creative Work Fund.  Our support stems from the deeply held belief that artists and creative expression are vital components in building healthy, vibrant, and engaged communities. 

The remodel of the Fund’s office a few years ago created a prominent and large wall — and an equally large opportunity for artistic display — on the west side of our space.  The trustees have decided to further the Fund’s support of individual artists by commissioning annually an artist to create an original work for the west wall.  Artists will be chosen from the distinguished individuals who have been participants in the Creative Work Fund. At the end of each display period, the Fund will return the artwork to the artist, with the requirement that the artist, in turn, will donate the artwork to a nonprofit organization of his or her choice.  The first commission, three panels of quilts titled “Helping Hands,” has been on display at the Fund’s offices since last fall, and photos of the quilts graced the cover of our 2006 Annual report.  A brochure on this West Wall project has been produced, and can be seen in pdf format here.  The next West Wall project will be installed in November.

Meanwhile, outside the Fund’s walls the world goes on.  AB 624, which I discussed in my last letter, has faded from the legislative agenda, but the important issues of diversity in the nonprofit sector and grantmaking with diversity lenses still need significant attention.  The Fund’s staff and trustees remain committed to deepening our understanding of how our work can best support our wondrously diverse community and to the continuous improvement of our grantmaking practices.

Best regards,


Pamela H. David