Haas Automation Gives $1 Million to Charity Fund

The owners of Haas Automation Inc. mean it when they use the phrase “giving back to the community.”

Soon after relocating its machine-building business to Oxnard two years ago, the company began looking for ways to help Ventura County residents.

A series of meetings with the Ventura County Community Foundation has led to the creation of a $1-million Haas Automation Charitable Fund.

Working through the nonprofit foundation, which helps organizations and individuals build endowment funds and distribute charitable gifts, Hass plans to set aside $500,000 for nonprofit groups this year, and another $500,000 will be placed into a permanent endowment to help the community.

“Since moving to Ventura County, we have been committed to help strengthen the economic and social fabric of the community,” said Gene Haas, company founder and president.

Kate McLean, the foundation’s president, said more than 97% of the funds received by her nonprofit organization are designated for specific purposes, limiting the organization’s ability to respond to immediate community needs. The Hass endowment will change that, she said.

The foundation, with more than $21 million under management, has decided to divide the Haas Fund into seven areas:

* $185,000 for a fund that would provide grants of $3,000 to $10,000 to groups devoted to community education.

* $75,000 each to the foundation’s pool for programs serving women; to Destino 2000, which targets the Latino community; and to help nonprofit groups develop action plans.

* $25,000 for emergency funding to help groups on a daily basis with immediate needs, such as replacing a failed telephone system.

* $25,000 for youth scholarships throughout the county.

* $5,000 to produce a directory of all the scholarships available in Ventura County.

McLean said the foundation will soon announce the application process for groups seeking money from the Hass Fund. The scholarship fund for needy youth is already accepting applications, while groups may apply for funds to benefit women’s and girls’ issues next month. The application dates for the rest of the funds will be announced throughout the year.