Thomas P. FitzGibbon, Jr.
Where were you born?
T.F. : I was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma during World War II. My dad was in the Army. When I was only a couple months old, my parents moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where I was raised.
How did you get where you are today?
T.F. : I got where I am today because other people recognized that I had leadership abilities and talent for being able to communicate to people that I value them as individuals. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to continue growing in my career, which has served me well. During my time with MB Financial, I was in charge of Retail Banking with 100 offices and had a staff of 700. I was the President of the MB Financial Charitable Foundation and the MB Financial Community Development Corporation from 1995-2010.
What were the most important lessons you learned from your parents?
T.F. : My mom died when I was 13 and I was the oldest of my 9 siblings. At the time of my mom’s passing, our family included one toddler. People would say about my mom that she had a smile that would enter the room before she did. She taught me how to be happy with myself and happy in what I do. She also taught me how to cook and how to sew, a valuable asset when she passed on so early in life.
My dad worked two jobs, and he was always that steady even handed Patriarch. He was a good listener and would only speak when he had some important thing to say. Although he was very busy with working two jobs, he did manage to raise the family as a single parent and still teach me how to drive.
What are you most proud of?
T.F. : I’m most proud of my kids, my son and daughter. My daughter has a master’s degree in Public Policy and is the Deputy overseeing the special projects at the State of Minnesota Department of Higher Learning. My son has a PhD in Economics and Marketing and splits his time between Geneva Switzerland and Chicago where he works with agencies in their education divisions.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
T.F. : I would tell my younger self to make sure the people that you trust are worthy of that trust.
How do you like to spend your free time?
T.F. : I enjoy flying planes and riding my Harley motorcycle. I enjoy going to the theatre and the opera, and I volunteer with my church and a number of other organizations who work to improve the lives of low and moderate income families needing guidance and support.
When were you introduced to NHS of Chicago?
T.F. : I was introduced to NHS of Chicago at the beginning in 1975. I came to Chicago and met with the founders, Gale Cincotta and Bruce Gottschall, and I kept in contact with them all through the years. I was a member of the founding board of the NHS Twin Cities of (Minneapolis and St. Paul). When I moved to Washington, D.C., I was elected the chair of NHS in D.C. and served in that capacity from 1981-1995. I also became the chairman of the board of NHS of Chicago during the late 1990s. I’ve known of NHS all of my adult life.
Why are you connected to NHS?
T.F. : Growing up, nine of us lived in a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house. So I have always wanted to help people find quality and affordable housing. Through my work in banking, I knew I had a channel to add value and bring resources to the community in partnership with NHS with my banking contacts and knowledge of the banking industry.
What is it about NHS’ mission that you connect to?
T.F. : I’m connected to the people that we serve; people who are working families like my family growing up. I also feel a connection to the people who work for NHS. They understand the communities that they serve and work very hard to improve the lives of our neighbors.
What do you want to accomplish through your charitable giving?
T.F. : I want to demonstrate a commitment to the mission, whether it is my church, alma mater, or other community-based organizations serving the needs of families and community. The NHS mission, values and vision align with my commitment to making the lives of our neighbors better.
What mission draws your attention the most?
T.F. : I’m drawn to missions whose work serves those who are underserved: organizations that work to provide safe and secure environments, improve household income to a living wage, and small businesses that enhance community development.
What shapes your giving and what are your top three giving priorities?
T.F. : I always plan my giving. I support organizations that I have an affiliation with either through board service, volunteering, and yes, sometimes I’m recruited. My top giving priorities include housing, community development, and economic development.
What do you want to accomplish through your charitable giving?
T.F. : Through my giving, I hope that other people who are in a position to give do the same. I would hope that my charitable giving demonstrates the commitment that others would share in their own contributions. Through my gift, I hope to leverage limited resources and grow to serve more
What would happen if NHS weren’t doing the work it is doing?
T.F. : There would be much more chaos with foreclosures and vacant buildings. NHS provides hope and serves as an advocate for the underserved markets and families. Without an advocate like NHS, many working families would not have the opportunities to make positive change happen in their lives and in their neighborhoods.