Private foundation · Nashville
Gibson Gives
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 100 totaling $675K · 1 in Hamilton County
- Typical grant
- $2,999 to $7,297 (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $4,611, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
- 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?
- 62% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2024): 59 of 95.
- Total giving that year
- $2.5M
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.5M | $675K | 100 |
| 2024 | $3.2M | $1.1M | 102 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Erica krusen · Nashville · 6158714500 · 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
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- 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
Tennessee organizations it funded
Hamilton County grants are listed first, then the largest. Groups it already funds are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songbirds Foundation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $42K |
| Williamson County Board of | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $49K |
| 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 |
| St Jude Children's Research | Memphis, Shelby County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $13K |
| Restring Appalachia | Chattanooga, Marion County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $12K |
| Nashville Symphony | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $11K |
| Technology in Music Education | Fairview, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $11K |
| Ryan Seacrest Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $9,841 |
| Nami Tennessee | Hendersonville, Sumner County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $9,696 |
| Burger Family Foundation Inc. | College Grove, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,897 |
| Creativets | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,669 |
| Music Health Alliance | Nashville, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,597 |
| The Store | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,370 |
| Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,198 |
| Porter's Call | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,098 |
| 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 |
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