Building a Sustainable Future

Maggie Kaplan is committed to advancing innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Her gifts are empowering Technion researchers to develop new, more sustainable manufacturing methods, and her estate commitment will extend this support in the future.

“No one is better equipped to develop novel solutions to planetary challenges than the brilliant minds at the Technion,” she said. “Through my support over the years for Technion research, I am helping to make planet Earth a healthier home for future generations.”

Maggie, who lives in California, first became involved with the American Technion Society (ATS) in 1979, when ATS recruited her to participate in a youth group. The organization’s mission aligned with her Jewish identity and commitment to the State of Israel, and she has remained involved with the Technion ever since. Today, she is one of the University’s most generous supporters as a Guardian.

Maggie’s latest support for the Technion is benefiting the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Sustainability Center for Catalysis, led by Ilan Marek. Launched in 2022, the Center aims to develop new catalysts needed for the production of food, fuel, medicine, and other critical products. Through this research, the Center promises to enable humankind to meet its growing needs more efficiently while lessening the negative impact on nature.

In addition to her passion for sustainability, Maggie’s gifts have reflected her commitment to women’s empowerment and to education. The Margaret Kaplan Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund in Honor of Judith Kaplan, named for her sister, supports female Technion researchers working in catalysis. The endowment funded the hiring of the first female postdoctoral researcher to the Sustainability Center for Catalysis. Maggie has also supported several student scholarships, believing in the importance of helping to educate “the best and the brightest.”

Maggie understands that the effort to develop more sustainable production methods will span generations, and she has structured her giving accordingly. To extend her support for Technion catalysis research after her lifetime, she has included ATS in her estate plans. Her bequest will endow the Margaret Kaplan Fund for the Sustainability Center for Catalysis and provide funding for the Center in perpetuity.

“With a bequest, I can ensure that my legacy continues to advance world-changing Technion research to preserve the planet’s ecology and natural resources. It’s a joy to know I have helped in some small measure to make my life and those that follow in my footsteps more meaningful.”