ATS Successfully Completes $1 Billion Campaign
Monday, June 14, 2010
By: Kevin Hattori

The American Technion Society (ATS) has successfully completed its $1 billion "Shaping Israel's Future" campaign. This was the largest campaign ever for an American organization raising funds for Israeli higher education, and one of the largest among American universities; only some 29 major American universities have billion dollar campaigns.

The latest gift for $20 million from Stephen Grand of San Francisco to create the Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP) – a campus-wide quest for alternative energy – has brought the campaign to its successful conclusion only months behind schedule.

Stephen Grand (L) and Technion President Peretz Lavie

“Thanks to thousands of devoted supporters across the United States, many of whom continued and even exceeded their giving history during difficult economic times, as well as a hard-working core of volunteer and professional leaders and the world-renowned work of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, we have achieved a breathtaking goal,” said Joel Rothman, ATS national president.

The funds raised have helped the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology “advance in multiple immeasurable ways,” said Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie.

During this campaign, ATS donors have changed the face of the campus with major research and teaching facilities. These include $50 million from Lorry I. Lokey for the Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering ($25 million of which is designated for the Center’s Nanomed Initiative); $30 million from Dr. and Mrs. Irwin Jacobs for the Irwin and Joan Jacobs Graduate School; $26 million from the Russell Berrie Foundation for the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute; $15 million from the Kahn Family Foundation for the D. Dan Kahn & Betty Kahn Mechanical Engineering Building; $13.9 million from the estate of Louis Edelstein for various projects; $13.8 million from Alfred E. Mann for the Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development; $10 million from Henry and Marilyn Taub for the Leaders in Science and Technology Program and faculty recruitment; $10 million from Stephen and Nancy Grand for the Stephen and Nancy Grand Water Research Institute; and $10 million from the Gabriel and Matilda Barnett Trust for various projects.

Thousands of students have benefited from generous scholarships and fellowships, and faculty members – from newly hired rising stars to world-renowned researchers in every scientific field -- have received funding for world-changing research.

“The Technion and Israel would not be what they are today without the major impact of the American Technion Society,” summed up Professor Lavie.

Of the funds raised, 61% came from gifts of a million or more. The largest gifts ranged from $1 million to $30 million. An additional 174 supporters became Technion Guardians who made gifts of $1 million or more during the campaign, bringing the total number of Guardians to 302.

The ATS has now begun a period of assessment and planning in preparation for the next campaign, to be launched in 2012. During this period, fund raising and expansion of the organization’s network will continue at the same ambitious level, said Executive Vice President Melvyn H. Bloom.

“Throughout our history we have met or exceeded each of our goals because we know that the Technion and Israel’s future are inextricably linked to our success,” said Mr. Bloom. “In the coming years we hope to enhance this record with ambitious new goals and achievements.” 

The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology is Israel's leading science and technology university.  Home to the winners of the country’s first Nobel Prize in science, it commands a worldwide reputation for its pioneering work in nanotechnology, computer science, biotechnology, water-resource management, materials engineering, aerospace and medicine.  The majority of the founders and managers of Israel's high-tech companies are alumni. Based in New York City, the American Technion Society is the leading American organization supporting higher education in Israel, with offices around the country.