The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena has announced a $15 million gift from Lynda and Stewart Resnick in support of the Resnick Sustainability Institute.

A portion of the gift — $3 million — will be used to establish the Resnick Institute Innovation Fund and support initiatives in clean-energy and sustainability science that have the potential for rapid impact. The fund initially will focus on the institute's newly launched Resonate Awards, which honor creative breakthroughs in energy and sustainability science made by early-career scholars, as well as a postdoctoral scholars program that offers distinguished fellowships to outstanding young leaders in energy and sustainability research.

The remaining $12 million will fund the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Matching Program, which will provide a one-to-one match for gifts that create new endowed funds within the institute. A multimillion-dollar gift from the Resnicks in 2009 helped fund the creation of the Resnick Institute.

"Securing a sustainable source of energy for future generations is the most fundamental issue facing mankind," said Stewart Resnick, Caltech senior trustee and the chairman and co-owner, along with his wife, Lynda, of Roll Global, a private holding company. "It is at the heart of all of the other long-term sustainability challenges such as feeding the world's population and providing people with access to clean water and health care. We see funding Caltech's efforts as an investment in our future, not just as philanthropy."