ABOUT

Kaplan’s book, Doing Good Well: Fishing, Philanthropy and Finding a Way, will be published by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in Fall 2026. Drawing on more than two decades leading the Rasmuson Foundation, Kaplan shares what she wishes she knew when she first entered family philanthropy. At its heart is the partnership between an Alaska banker and philanthropist, a lifelong Republican, Presbyterian, and moderate conservative, and a Jewish girl from Brooklyn who fell in love with Alaska and its people. Together, they built the state’s first major philanthropy, guided by a shared commitment to public service and to Alaska. Their story offers practical lessons on celebrating family legacy, building trust, family offices and selection of community board members and using philanthropy to create transformational change.