Tom Young ’88Alumni and Staff

Thomas Young has enjoyed a 30 year distinguished career as a fundraiser and volunteer organizer and currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Gustavus.

As VP for Advancement he is responsible for the College’s fundraising and stewardship activities as well as engagement of the 28,000 alumni. He serves on the President's Cabinet and is one of the College’s links to many Swedish individuals and institutions.

During his 11 year tenure as VP, the College has seen dramatic increases in major gifts, including six eight-figure commitments (the largest in the history of the College).  Young’s team has secured over $325 million in documented philanthropic commitments. Gift Income to the College has doubled during his tenure as VP and the College’s endowment has grown from approximately $80 million to now over $190 million as a result of new gifts and market growth.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education has recognized the College’s work with several awards including Overall Improvement and twice for Overall Performance.

Born in Brainerd, MN he spent his formative years in Stockholm, Sweden and Fargo, ND, and graduated from Gustavus in 1988 with majors in Speech Communications and Scandinavian studies. After graduation, Thomas worked for two international fundraising firms, including regional responsibility for the Indian subcontinent, Japan and Australia for the Lions Clubs’ Campaign Sight First. 

From ’95 to ’98 he brought together his campaign skills and his passion for his Swedish heritage when he accepted an invitation to serve as the resident consultant for a campaign at Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg, Sweden. 

This was the first capital campaign for higher education in Sweden, and paved the way for increased philanthropy in Sweden. 

In ’98, he moved to Minneapolis and together with his brother Jon a consulting firm in the Twin Cities which culminated in their work with the American Swedish Institute and a capital campaign to secure funding for their property acquisition and plans for expanded facilities. 

In 2005, he joined the staff at Gustavus as a gift planner, charged with securing larger and more meaningful gifts for the College and was promoted to VP in 2008. 

He lives in St. Peter with his wife Meredith.  Interests include golf, cooking, triathlons and travel.