Giving SocietiesCelebrate your Investment

Your philanthropy makes a difference at Gustavus, and we want to celebrate your generosity by inviting you to become a member of our giving societies. These societies recognize your loyalty, your leadership, and your vision—which are helping to build a stronger Gustavus. Become a member by making your gift today through our secure online form.

The Black and Gold Society recognizes the College’s most loyal donors who consistently support our mission and vision through annual contributions. The amount of the gift does not matter; giving consistently to Gustavus does. Learn more.

To become a member of the Black and Gold Society you must give every year for five years based on the College’s fiscal year (June1–May 31). After five years, your membership in the society renews each year when you make your gift to Gustavus. Donors who give consecutively for 25 years are recognized as lifetime members.

The greatest benefit of being a member of this club is knowing you’re making a difference. Your gifts help young people achieve their dreams, fund important maintenance for all areas of campus, and provide the College with more opportunities to secure funding from corporate, foundation, and government sources.

Recognition Opportunities:

  • The satisfaction of knowing you are helping Gusties make their lives count.
  • Lifetime members will receive a Black and Gold lapel pin to signify their loyalty.

Just as Pastor Eric Norelius and his Swedish Lutheran Church made a significant investment in establishing Gustavus Adolphus College in 1862, this society recognizes those whose leadership-level giving sustains it today. Members of the 1862 Society rise to the challenge of continuing the tradition of academic excellence for generations to come. The 1862 Society renews each year and recognizes those who contribute $1,500 or more to the Gustavus Fund in that fiscal year (June 1-May31).

Visionary leaders founded the school, sought its permanent home, and committed themselves to building a reputation for excellence and service that defines Gustavus Adolphus College today. The Founders Society expresses gratitude toward individuals and organizations whose gifts have made a significant difference in the lives of students and further advanced the hopes of its founders. Learn more.

Donors whose cumulative giving—through outright or irrevocable planned gifts—exceeds $150,000 are granted a lifetime membership in this society.

Recognition Opportunities:

  • The satisfaction of knowing you are helping Gusties make their lives count.
  • Invitations to special events throughout the year.

The Gustavus Heritage Partnership (GHP) was established in 1988 to recognize and celebrate those who have chosen to make commitments to the College that will last beyond their living years. Today, more than 1,000 dedicated alumni and friends have chosen to make the impact of a lifetime through a legacy gift. Learn more.

As a key goal of its strategic plan, Gustavus aims in the coming years to fully meet the demonstrated financial need of students. Increasing available scholarships will make the College accessible to talented students of all backgrounds, helping us build a firm foundation for the future. With your four-year commitment, a scholarship will be awarded to a first-year student and remain with them throughout their time at Gustavus. Learn more.

Affinity Groups

Support what you love most about Gustavus by joining one of our Affinity Groups.

Behind every goal, touchdown, ace, and finish line…there is someone who believes that excellence is the key to success. At Gustavus, student athletes are supported by a strong community of alumni, parents, and friends known as the G Club. Learn more.

The Gustavus Friends of Music is a network of alumni, parents, and friends who seek to make a difference in the lives of student-musicians at Gustavus, create opportunities, and open doors. By becoming a Friend of Music you can ensure the tradition of music excellence continues to echo through the halls of Schaefer Performing Arts Center, fills the worship space in Christ Chapel, and inspires people of all ages around the world. Learn more.

Friends of the Library - Gustavus Library Associates (GLA) promotes learning, literature, and the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus Adolphus College. Gustavus Library Associates celebrates 47 years as a friends-of-the-college organization dedicated to the support and advancement of the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library at Gustavus. The Gustavus Library Associates-Friends of the Library has more than 150 member households, with membership dues dedicated directly to the Library acquisitions budget. Learn more.

 Friends of the Arboretum supports the education, conservation, and horticultural activities of the Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College. We believe natural space is essential for a well-rounded education, a deep appreciation of nature, and a lifetime of environmental stewardship. Members cherish the Arboretum as a unique place—an outdoor laboratory, a space to escape, to explore, to learn, to grow. Contributions provide environmental education experiences for thousands of students and guests. The goal is to establish within them an understanding and appreciation of nature and the importance of environmental ethics and conservation. FOA support preserves 135 acres of forests, prairies, wetlands, gardens, trails, and more—a place where students, visitors, and families can connect with nature, and each other. Learn more.

The mission of Gustavus Friends of Innovationis to ensure the strong tradition of excellence in innovation at Gustavus and provide opportunities for all students who want to express themselves through Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation programs. The Fund will be used to provide essential funding for advancing the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation programs and administrative expenses, as well as to actively engage in mentoring student innovation at Gustavus, support students by hands on participation with their creative ideas, and increase awareness about programs, activities and opportunities for all students at Gustavus to explore their innovative ideas, regardless of their primary field of study.

We inspire all women to advocate for themselves, live purposefully and create opportunities for future generations. Alumnae, students, and friends are the heart of this unique organization that inspires women in their personal and professional leadership. Together, we create a community where we can connect, learn, mentor and teach each other—and the next generation of women leaders.  Learn more.