11 PHILANTHROPY, CIVIC LEADERSHIP A legacy of compassion Longtime Cambridge resident, Natalie (Nan) Zinn Haar once said, “If you take care of your own backyard, and everybody does, it will be a better world.” That’s exactly what she did during her remarkable life. A mental health specialist, philanthropist, and educator, Nan had an enduring impact on Cambridge and the Cambridge Community Foundation. As part of her ser- vice as a director of the Foundation, she was a tireless advocate for supporting children and a driving force behind the Agenda for Children, which offers literacy and out-of-school time initiatives for kids across the city. Separately, she established the Nan Haar Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at the Foundation that makes grants annually to Cambridge nonprofits. Through a major bequest in 2018, Nan also established the Natalie Zinn Haar Civic Leadership Fund—an endowment supporting CCF’s civic leadership work. Nan was committed to a strong community, and she valued the independent and community-driven role that the Foundation plays in supporting nonprofits and advancing equity. For her son, Jeremy Haar, Nan’s legacy is an inspiration. “I still feel her presence and influence on my life as strongly as I did when she was alive,” says Jeremy. “I am amazed at the largesse of her life and the range of her friends’ ages. She was a constant optimist in a world that does not encourage it.” “Nan was beloved for her great compassion and devotion to improving the work. Her desire to make the world a better place will be felt through her many gifts from the heart, and her generous funds at CCF,” says Geeta Pradhan. The late Nan Haar with her son Jeremy Photo by Jeremy Haar “If you take care of your own back yard, and everybody does, it will be a better world.” Nan Haar Shared Prosperity