Our 100-Year Legacy

A Century Committed to Improving Lives

This year, the Haynes Foundation is honored to celebrate our 100-year anniversary. As the oldest foundation in Los Angeles, we have long led efforts to make government more open, effective, and accountable. At our core is a belief that continues to guide our work today: a healthy democracy depends on informed, engaged communities and institutions that are responsive, transparent, and accountable.

Our Foundation was built on the belief that together we can solve complex social and political problems through research, active participation, and meaningful reform. Today, we continue that work in partnership with scholars, communities, and public leaders both inside and outside governmen —advancing solutions that help shape a more effective, accountable, and responsive government for the Los Angeles region.

The Haynes Foundation Today: Focused on Reform

As Southern California looks to the future, the Haynes Foundation enters a bold new chapter with a focus on voter-approved LA County reform (Measure G) and strengthening local governance and democracy—supporting efforts to make one of the nation’s largest local governments more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the communities it serves.

We remain committed to connecting research, policy, and public engagement to ensure that reform efforts lead to meaningful, lasting improvements in how government works. When people understand how government functions—and have opportunities to shape it—our region grows stronger for everyone.

Our Founders

John Randolph Haynes

Dr. John Randolph Haynes, born in 1853 in Pennsylvania’s coal region, was deeply influenced by early exposure to labor hardship and inequality. After earning both an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, he married Dora Fellows in 1882, and the couple later moved to Los Angeles for health reasons, where Haynes became a leading physician.

In LA, he launched a decades-long career in civic reform, advocating for Progressive Era causes like women’s suffrage, public ownership of utilities, and direct democracy. He played a key role in shaping Los Angeles governance, including helping establish recall provisions and contributing to the city’s 1925 charter, while also influencing California politics as an advisor, strategist, and champion of initiative and referendum rights.

Dora Fellows Haynes

Dora Fellows Haynes, born in 1859 was an equally committed partner with Dr. Haynes in both life and reform. Active in civic and cultural organizations, she became a prominent suffrage leader in Los Angeles and later helped found the League of Women Voters of California and Los Angeles to educate new voters after women won the right to vote.

Together, John and Dora Haynes supported a wide range of social causes, from labor protections to Native American rights. In 1926, they established the Haynes Foundation to continue their shared commitment to research and public good. Dora remained active despite declining health until her death in 1934, and John continued his work until 1937, leaving a lasting legacy of civic leadership and social progress.