Private foundation · Nashville
Gibson Gives
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 100 totaling $674,714 · 20 in Williamson County
- Typical grant
- $2,999 to $7,297 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $4,611, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat 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
- $2.5 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.5M | $675K | 100 |
| 2024 | $3.2M | $1.1M | 102 |
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
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
Tennessee organizations it funded
Williamson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County Board of | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $49K |
| Technology in Music Education | Fairview, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $11K |
| Burger Family Foundation Inc. | College Grove, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,897 |
| Music Health Alliance | Nashville, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,597 |
| Porter's Call | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $8,098 |
| Giving Guitars | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $6,840 |
| Memories of Honor | College Grove, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $5,534 |
| Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $4,999 |
| The Holiday Heroes Foundation | Brentwood, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $4,999 |
| Best Buddies in Tennessee | Brentwood, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $3,999 |
| Brightstone | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $3,999 |
| The Gift of Song | Nolensville, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $3,999 |
| Franktown Open Hearts | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $3,599 |
| Project R12 | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $3,499 |
| Blind Early Services TN | Brentwood, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $2,999 |
| Beehive Love | Brentwood, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $2,799 |
| Special Olympics Tennessee | Brentwood, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $2,499 |
| Porter's Call | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $2,149 |
| Gigi's Playhouse Nashville | Brentwood, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $1,399 |
| Williamson County Child Advocacy | Franklin, Williamson County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $799 |
| Songbirds Foundation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Program use & fundraising efforts | $42K |
| 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 |
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