Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation

MISSION STATEMENT The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation is a multi-generational family foundation inspired by a tradition of Tzedakah, lifelong learning, and a commitment to social justice. We are dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for young people and promoting the sustainability of our natural environment. We focus our efforts in Chicago and in communities in which family members live. VISION STATEMENT Through family engagement and a commitment to lifelong learning, the Foundation strives to improve under-resourced communities by focusing on issues of social justice. Utilizing a rigorous, compassionate, and innovative approach, we endeavor to strengthen our own family as well as families in our communities. Foundation History In 1958 Mayer and Morris Kaplan, father and son, established The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation as a manifestation of their commitment to Tzedakah, a Jewish concept of helping others and encouraging justice. A large portion of the Foundation’s resources came from the 1986 sale of the family’s business, Sealy Mattress Company, and a bequest of funds from lifelong friend Jerome Joss. For more than 50 years, Morris (Morry) Kaplan’s strong leadership guided the Foundation and inspired his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to embrace philanthropic responsibility. Morry remained actively and passionately involved in the activities of the Foundation until his death on June 1, 2011. Morry’s vision for the Foundation was that it would promote philanthropy and a responsibility to give back and bring multiple generations together to have important discussions about important issues – all while enjoying time together as a family. Today, Morry’s vision is reality – the family gathers throughout the year to learn together and to make strategic and thoughtful funding decisions. The ongoing participation of each generation honors Morry’s legacy and continues to shape the spirit and future of the Foundation. Morry’s oldest son, Burton Kaplan, helped to establish the Foundation’s philanthropic vision and remained an integral member of the board until his death in March of 2011. Much of the Foundation’s grantmaking was guided by Burt’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for the underserved and his passion for art of all kinds. The legacy of these two leaders continues to influence both the family and its philanthropic endeavors. Five generations of Kaplans have served on the board of the Foundation since its inception. Today, the Foundation is led by three generations of family and a dedicated staff of professionals. Historically, the Foundation has focused grantmaking in the city of Chicago in multiple program areas including arts, education, social services, environment, and community organizing. In 2009, to allow Trustees living outside Chicago to better engage in the work of the Foundation, the board expanded it’s giving geographies to include parts of California and the Rocky Mountain West. Today, the Foundation makes grants Education-focused grants in Chicago and Los Angeles, and the Environment grants across the country.