Private foundation · Nashville
Gibson Gives
In 2025 it gave 100 grants worth $674,714 to Tennessee groups, 62 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $2,999 to $7,297. Most often for: “Program use & fundraising efforts”.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 100 totaling $674,714 · 62 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $2,999 to $7,297 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $4,000: the middle grant to the 59 Tennessee groups it funded for the first time in 2025.
- Where it gives
- Davidson County, Williamson County, Shelby County, Sumner County, Wilson County, Cheatham County, Marion County, Smith County and 5 more · plus 216 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 62% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2024): 59 of 95.
- Total giving that year
- $2.5 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.5M | $675K | 100 |
| 2024 | $3.2M | $1.1M | 102 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
- Contact
- Erica Krusen · Nashville · (615) 871-4500 · Gibsonfoundation@gibson.com
- What to send
- Applications can be submitted via gibson.submittable.com/submit
- Deadlines
- Donation requests are reviewed on a monthly basis after the end of each month.
- Limits
- Awards benefit those who bring education or healing through music specific programs where guitar is used.
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2025. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Cesar GueikianPres./chair
- Jessica JohnsTreasurer
- Erica KrusenGlobal exec
- Elizabeth HeidtDirector
- Lowell GoldmanDirector
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Program use & fundraising efforts (100 grants)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 1 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 54 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 34 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 7 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 4 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Davidson County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acm Lifting Lives | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $40K |
| Launch Pad Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $36K |
| Harvest Hands | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $21K |
| Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $17K |
| Music for Seniors | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $13K |
| Nashville Symphony | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $11K |
| Ryan Seacrest Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $9,841 |
| Creativets | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,669 |
| The Store | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,370 |
| Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,198 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,897 |
| Charleyville | Madison, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,696 |
| Musician's On Call | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,500 |
| Pet Community Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,298 |
| Boedecker Foundation Dba Riverside | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,297 |
| Music Amplifies | Goodlettsville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,297 |
| Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $7,248 |
| Ensworth School | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $6,797 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $6,598 |
| American Heart Association | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $6,498 |
| Musicians On Call | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $6,498 |
| Metro Nashville Law Enforcement | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $5,998 |
| Nashville Repertory Theatre | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $5,799 |
| Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $5,644 |
| Country Music Hall of Fame and | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $5,637 |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save