Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund
The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California, that makes grants to advance equality and justice. Founded in 1953, it supports work in democracy, immigrant rights, college success, leadership, environmental stewardship, and community initiatives. The Fund has announced that it will sunset its work in 2028; it says it will maintain current grantmaking levels through 2028.
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund at a glance
In short: Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund gave $24.5M across 180 grants in 2024 (avg $136K), mostly in California. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $24,500,000
- +1.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 180
- -13.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $136,111
- +17.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $33,250
- Total assets
- $484,032,861
- +3.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (44 of 180, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Fund does not accept unsolicited requests. Grant-portal use is by invitation only.
- Contact
Mailing address: 450 Sansome Street 16Th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111-3324
Phone: (415) 856-1400
Website: https://haasjr.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tides Center ($3.3M). Together the top 10 received $12.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,294 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 731 grants of 1,294 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund is based in San Francisco, and its 2024 giving was concentrated in California: 84% of grant dollars went to California recipients. Other recipient states listed were the District of Columbia (6%), New York (5%), Illinois (2%), and Indiana (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 180 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 44 of 180 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $48K; repeat grants $165K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 133% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $22.0M (2020) to $24.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 180 grants totaling $24.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tides Center San Francisco, CA | For the move the valley project to engage voters in the central valley. For the leaderstrust to provide flexible leadership awards to hjf grantees and support its growth as a self-sustaining entity, for emerging practitioners in philanthropy membership dues. | $3,312,500 |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy San Francisco, CA | Volunteer services grant; to the haas, jr. Fund single entity beneficiary fund at ggnpc for future improvements. For general support. For the trails forever dinner celebration. For the trails forever dinner celebration and annual renewal. | $2,179,400 |
| Positive Coaching Alliance Oakland, CA | To scale impact and expand the number of coaches and youth reached, and one-time support for the acceleration fundraising plan. Board services grant; for general support. | $1,607,500 |
| Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund San Francisco, CA | To support season of sharing's research and innovative marketing experiments to engage younger and more diverse donors, and implementation of refreshed branding, positioning and fundraising strategies. To help raise and distribute emergency support to families and individuals in the bay area. For general support. | $1,524,500 |
| Neo Philanthropy Inc New York, NY | To the four freedoms fund to educate and engage a national network of funders, promote immigrant civic participation and humane border policies, and coordinate rapid response for immigrant rights. To the four freedoms fund for rapid response support to advance narrative/strategic communications and ensure the safety and wellbeing of black migrants. | $750,000 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges Sacramento, CA | 2024 fdn ca cmty colleges, arthur s. Marmaduke award (CLG); for California college guidance initiative to begin to develop resources and materials for classroom use that will systematize a baseline of college and career guidance for middle and high school students. For ccgi to pilot resources and materials in a range of 9th-grade classes by teachers that will systematize a baseline of college and career guidance. For California student aid commission to continue to implement a student-facing and family-facing communications plan and tools that promote completion of the fafsa and cadda. For conference; for csac to amplify the extension of the ca financial aid deadline and provide updated guidance to students from mixed-status families on how to meet the deadline. | $690,000 |
| California Calls Education Fund Los Angeles, CA | For voter engagement and democracy reform. To support the convening of we are California/project day one coalition, and narrative and agenda development. For the million voters project of California calls to engage voters in the 2024 election. | $650,000 |
| University of California Berkeley Foundation Berkeley, CA | To transform the student population and create a more welcoming and inclusive campus. For the institute for governmental studies project at uc berkeley to conduct polling and host events on democracy in California. To deepen student and staff othering, belonging and bridging practices at uc berkeley and to share lessons learned with the broader community. For the institute for governmental studies project at uc berkeley to translate its poll on California democracy into mandarin, cantonese, korean, and vietnamese for the first time. In memory of karl j. Uebel. | $640,750 |
| San Francisco Foundation San Francisco, CA | For the india basin equitable development plan fund to support the development of the india basin waterfront park. For general support. | $420,000 |
| Community Partners Inc Los Angeles, CA | For sponsorship of fund the people's talent justice summit. For socal can to continue and expand the work to ensure first-generation, low-income, minority, and undocumented students have access to state and federal financial aid resources. For general support; for socal can to increase fafsa completion for low-income and mixed-status students to reduce the impact of new fafsa implementation. For the California native vote project to support leadership development and the training of organizers in native American communities. | $418,525 |
Ready to take the next step with Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $484,032,861 | $43,288,420 | $38,257,158 | $24,500,000 | 180 | $29,880,503 | $30,184,742 | $22,544,430 |
| 2023 | $469,121,844 | $10,244,968 | $39,898,742 | $24,200,000 | 208 | $29,523,422 | $1,531,281 | $22,473,663 |
| 2022 | $458,109,056 | $25,410,486 | $38,364,975 | $24,000,000 | 260 | $31,646,484 | $11,602,736 | $21,668,305 |
| 2021 | $548,162,194 | $62,229,155 | $35,481,861 | $22,250,000 | 320 | $28,168,890 | $56,747,524 | $25,593,380 |
| 2020 | $492,505,820 | $19,789,080 | $29,679,407 | $21,989,700 | 326 | — | $15,014,021 | $21,383,671 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund reported a distributable amount of $22.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s stated mission is to advance equality and justice by helping eliminate barriers, create opportunities, advance rights, and change systems to improve lives. Its website identifies six priorities: Democracy, College Success, Immigrant Rights, Leadership, Crissy Field, and Season of Sharing. The Fund’s filing also describes its work as including environmental stewardship.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. Tides Center says it provides fiscal sponsorship and capacity-building support to community-led organizations. The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy describes its work as preserving the parks, enhancing visitor experiences, and building support for their conservation. Positive Coaching Alliance says it works to make positive youth sports experiences accessible to children regardless of social or economic circumstances. The Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund says it distributes assistance for critical family needs, housing, and food in the Bay Area. Other 2024 recipients included organizations working on immigrant rights, voter engagement, and college access.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Fund made 180 grants totaling $24.5 million. Grants ranged from $250 to $3,312,500, with a median grant of $33,250. Examples of larger awards included $3,312,500 to Tides Center, $2,179,400 to Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, $1,607,500 to Positive Coaching Alliance, $1,524,500 to Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund, and $750,000 to NEO Philanthropy. Stated purposes included voter engagement, leadership support, park improvements, youth sports, emergency assistance, immigrant civic participation, and college guidance and financial aid.
The Fund’s website says it has limited resources for new grantees and is not currently accepting unsolicited grant proposals. Its 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The website says grant-portal access is by invitation only. The Fund also states that it does not support organizations that discriminate in leadership, staffing, or service provision on specified grounds, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation, or religious belief; it may support organizations whose services target groups that have experienced discrimination.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cathy Cha as president and CEO; Marcos Orozco III as secretary and treasurer; and Walter J. Haas as chair. Directors listed are Elizabeth H. Eisenhardt, Robert D. Haas, Jesse Eisenhardt, Elise Haas, and Walter A. Haas III.
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund is led by Cathy Cha, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cathy Cha
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$388K (2020) → $463K (2024)
Walter J. Haas
Chair
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elise Haas
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth H. Eisenhardt
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Eisenhardt
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert D. Haas
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter A. Haas III
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcos Orozco III
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$217K (2022) → $265K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Monica Pressley (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $463K, to Cathy Cha (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund
How much does Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund give each year?
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund gave $24.5M across 180 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $24.2M across 208 grants.
What is Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's typical grant size?
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's median grant in 2024 was $33,250, and its average grant was $136,111, across 180 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund that year got $48K on average.
Where does Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund give grants?
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund gives mostly in California: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (6%) and New York (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (36 grants), Oakland, CA (31 grants), Los Angeles, CA (23 grants) and Washington, DC (16 grants).
Does Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 26% of Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (47 of 180) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "For Membership Dues." (6 grants) and "For an Annual Contribution." (3 grants).
Who are Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's largest grantees?
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Tides Center ($3,312,500), Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy ($2,179,400) and Positive Coaching Alliance ($1,607,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund?
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund reported $484.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $29.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $22.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund fund?
The Fund’s stated mission is to advance equality and justice by helping eliminate barriers, create opportunities, advance rights, and change systems to improve lives. Its website identifies six priorities: Democracy, College Success, Immigrant Rights, Leadership, Crissy Field, and Season of Sharing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund?
The Fund does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's EIN?
Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6068932. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/evelyn-and-walter-haas-jr-fund-morg_b77205c2996a4eb69f79d36da73b2d96
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_946068932_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/evelyn-and-walter-haas-jr-fund-morg_b77205c2996a4eb69f79d36da73b2d96},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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