LOCAL PHILANTHROPIST THINKS GLOBALLY.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Thousands of people attend productions each year at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theater, named after the philanthropist who donated $2.5 million to the Plaza in 1998.

Kavli, 78, made his fortune in southeastern Ventura County, and he's known for his support for youth groups, Moorpark College and the Alliance for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.

But since he sold his Kavlico Corp. in Moorpark in 2000 and established the Kavli Foundation in Oxnard, he has become increasingly known as a major supporter of scientific research worldwide.

He used $75 million to set up research institutes at 10 universities around the world and gave $5 million in December to the National Academy of Sciences to help nurture young scientists.

Ralph J. Cicerone, NAS president, called Kavli an innovator who finds important new ways to stimulate science in the 21st century.

``We thank (Kavli and his foundation) for their generosity and foresight in supporting the growth of some of our nation's most gifted young scientists,'' Cicerone said.

Already, three scientists affiliated with the research institutes supported by Kavli have won Nobel Prizes, and Kavli said he plans to offer $1 million starting in 2008 in the fields of astrophysics, neuroscience and nanoscience. The prizes will be awarded every two years beginning in 2008 at ceremonies in Oslo, Norway, Kavli's home country.

Kavli received a physics degree there before coming to the United States and establishing Kavlico in the late 1950s to manufacture electronic devices crucial in the automotive, industrial and aerospace industries.

``He is grateful for becoming so successful in America, and wants to give back,'' said Patricia Jones, president and executive director of the Alliance for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. ``He's not fooling around, and he's an incredibly brilliant man. Through this research, we might find solutions to problems we don't even understand.''

Kavli employed people from Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Moorpark and wants to continue supporting the community.

``He's really a renaissance man and a big supporter of the arts and sciences. He's an art collector, quite a unique man,'' Jones said. ``Since the big gift in 1998, he has been supporting us on an annual basis.''

Kavli's latest donation of $5 million to the National Academy of Sciences is for the academy's Frontiers of Science symposia, which have been offered through the NAS since 1989 to give the nation's best young scientists the opportunity to learn about new research and meet new colleagues. The annual event will be renamed The Kavli Frontiers of Science of the National Academy of Sciences.

``We are excited to help bring together outstanding young scientists from all different fields and from all over the world to exchange ideas, learn from each other and establish mutual bonds,'' Kavli said. ``We are delighted to form a partnership with the academy in this activity.''

When he ran his business in Moorpark, Kavli was a regular contributor to local charities, including the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Boy Scouts of America.

He supports Casa Pacifica, a home in Camarillo for abused and neglected children, and when he gave the $2.5 million to the Alliance for the Arts in Thousand Oaks, he said it was an opportunity to give something back.

``I'm really happy to donate this money to something that can benefit the community forever,'' he said.

At Moorpark College, the Fred Kavli Science Building is named after the man who endowed a fund providing $1,000 scholarships each year to six outstanding students in chemistry, math, physics, biology, engineering and computer science.

``He is a consummate entrepreneur,'' said Clint Harper, a physics professor at Moorpark College and a Moorpark City Council member. ``He is a very important benefactor to the local community. The funds that he set up continue to help our students and the entire area.''

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com

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Philanthropist Fred Kavli is becoming known worldwide, having set up research institutes at 10 universities and giving $5 million to the National Academy of Sciences.

Dan Dry/University of Chicago