Kivie Kaplan (April 1, 1904 – May 5, 1975) was anAmerican businessman andphilanthropist. He served as president of theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1966 until his death.

Kivie Kaplan was born inBoston, Massachusetts, the youngest of three sons of Benjamin and Celia Kaplan, Lithuanian Jewish immigrants.^[1] In 1924, he and his brothers, Joseph and Archie, took over their father's leather business; he helped run the tanneries until 1962 when he retired to devote his time to philanthropic work.^[2] In 1925, Kivie Kaplan married Emily Rogers, whom he was married to until his death.^[3] They had three children, Sylvia, Jean, and Edward.

Kaplan joined theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1932 and was elected to the National Board in 1954. In 1966, he was elected its President and held that post until his death. As president, Kaplan spoke throughout the United States on the organization's behalf and sought financial contributions. Kaplan was a trustee of two black colleges,Lincoln University andTougaloo College, and treasurer ofThe Crisis magazine.

Kaplan was also involved in Jewish affairs and was a member of the Board of Trustees of theUnion of American Hebrew Congregations. He contributed substantial sums of money to theJewish Memorial Hospital in Boston andBrandeis University. He received numerous awards and honorary degrees, including the Amistad Award of theAmerican Missionary Association and honorary degrees fromWilberforce University,Hebrew Union College, and Lincoln University.

He and his wife, Emily, fought for civil rights for all. He was one in a long line of American Jews who held a leadership role in African American civil rights groups.

• S. Norman Feingold and William B. Silverman,Kivie Kaplan: A Legend in His Own Time, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1976,ISBN 0-8074-0006-8.

• Kivie Kaplan Papers (includes brief biography)

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