[11] Franklin Mint is known for making model cars, souvenir plates, figurines, and Civil War-inspired chess sets.

The acquisition, continuing private ownership, and water sales profit from this taxpayer-developed resource infrastructure, while California suffers under drought, is controversial.

[10][18] Growing water-intensive nut tree crops in the Central Valley—a single almond can require up to 1.1 US gallons (4.2 L) of water[19]—has drawn criticism during California's ongoing drought.

According to Forbes magazine, the Wonderful Company uses "at least 120 billion gallons [450 million m3] a year, two-thirds on nuts, enough to supply San Francisco's 852,000 residents for a decade".

[20] In an effort to make their impact on the region more positive, the Resnicks have invested in the growth of the local economy and nutrition centers.

[27] Resnick is a trustee emeritus of the J. Paul Getty Trust[28] and is on the board of visitors of the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

[30][31] He also is on the board of advisers at UC Davis, the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law & Policy at UCLA, and is a Caltech senior trustee.

[37] In 2018, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles announced the couple's $30 million gift to help pay for a renovation and expansion project.

[38] In September 2019, Resnick and his wife pledged their largest donation to date, a $750 million endowment to Caltech for climate research.