Walter & Elise Haas Fund | 3,886 followers on LinkedIn. envisioning a Bay Area where all people reach their fullest potential and live with purpose, dignity, and joy | The Walter & Elise Haas Fund is a leading voice in trust-based philanthropy. Established in 1952 by Walter A. Haas, Sr. and Elise Stern Haas, the Fund is a demonstration of its founders’ appreciation for the San Francisco Bay Area and their commitment to opportunity and access for all.