It is with heavy hearts that Young America’s Foundation shares the news of the passing of Tom Phillips, a longtime supporter of YAF and a valued member of our boards. He passed away peacefully in his home Thursday morning, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly impacted the Conservative Movement and will continue to do so for years to come.
“YAF was blessed by Tom’s lifelong involvement in nearly every aspect of Young America’s Foundation,” remarked YAF President Governor Scott Walker.
Tom loyally served on YAF’s Board of Directors, the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors, and the National Journalism Center Board of Governors—which he chaired for many years. He remained a director emeritus on each of these boards until his passing.
A YAF activist during his student days at Dartmouth, Tom was passionate about supporting young people and young journalists, in particular. He founded The Phillips Foundation to support young journalists and their work to promote American culture and a free society. He also created and funded the Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship Program to support conservative students in their educations. His generosity benefited countless YAF alumni and rising journalists.
Tom also generously supported YAF for many decades, including sponsoring YAF’s Thomas Phillips Lecture Series—a principal student event at CPAC for many years. In 1999, Tom made a momentous $1 million gift to protect and preserve the Reagan Ranch—a YAF project that was in its infancy at the time. Tom was an evangelist for YAF’s cause, frequently hosting groups of family members, friends, and associates at the Reagan Ranch and organizing receptions in his homes.
Tom was a driving force in promoting conservative principles throughout his career and ownership of Human Events, the Conservative Book Club, and Eagle Publishing. An entrepreneur, talented businessman, and publishing pioneer, he grew a two-newsletter, three-employee business out of his garage into the wildly successful Phillips International.
In 1998, Attorney General Ed Meese told an audience of YAF supporters, “There is no one more important to the Conservative Movement today than Tom Phillips.”
Ron Robinson, YAF’s president emeritus, remarked, “Tom Phillips made enormous contributions to freedom’s cause. His leadership abilities became apparent when he was a YAF leader at Dartmouth, during the Goldwater and Reagan eras, and as a brilliant marketer at Phillips Publishing. He was a valued friend, colleague, and mentor.”
While YAF is deeply saddened by Tom’s passing, we find comfort in knowing that his legacy will forever be intertwined with YAF’s vital mission of shaping the Conservative Movement’s leaders of tomorrow.
