The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Kaplan Family Foundation's Chicago portfolio is centered on college readiness and higher education completion. It also awards grants for the environment.
IP TAKE: It helps to be connected to Chicago Public Schools or a local college to be considered for an education grant. This funder accepts applications and posts guidelines and due dates on its website.
PROFILE: Established in 1955, the Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation is a Jewish, multi-generational funder that is closely linked to Chicago. It was founded by Mayer Kaplan, who left the Soviet Union in the 1990s and started the Sealy Matress Company in Chicago. A significant portion of the foundation’s resources came from the 1986 sale of Sealy. This funder is "dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for young people and promoting the sustainability of our natural environment," and its areas of grantmaking interest include education and the environment. Kaplan gives away about $2 million in grants each year, much of which remains in Chicago.
In Chicago, education grantmaking focuses on the successful transition of students from high school to college and college completion. Specific areas of interest include mentoring, financial counseling, family involvement, career counseling, academic support and support with the college application process. The foundation has worked extensively with Chicago’s public schools and with organizations supporting public school education. The foundation’s environmental funding is focused on climate change and prioritizes utility reform, fossil fuel infrastructure, carbon pricing and climate change education. The foundation has also supported well-established arts organizations over the years, even though arts and culture is not an established program area.
Kaplan’s grants range from $5,000 to $65,000 with an average grant amount of $25,000. Past Chicago grantees include the Partnership for College Completion, College Possible, Loyola University and the Citizens Utility Board. Lists of recent grants by year are available on the funder's website.
The foundation accepts unsolicited grant proposals from nonprofits, starting with an initial letter of inquiry. Guidelines and due dates are posted on Kaplan’s website. Grantseekers can reach the staff at 847-926-8350 or the executive director, Dinaz Mansuri, by email at dmansuri@kapfam.com.
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