The Gaither Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on Christian-oriented higher education and the preservation/promotion of gospel music. Most support goes to a single regional university through repeated, substantial awards, while the remainder funds a national gospel music organization, indicating a faith-based cultural and educational focus tied to the Gaither name and likely Indiana roots.
Highly concentrated and large gifts to a very small set of recipients: repeated multi-hundred-thousand-dollar grants to one primary university and a single large grant to a national gospel-music organization.
A $500,000 general-support grant to the Gospel Music Trust Fund in 2025 is the clearest signal of what Gaither Charitable Foundation Inc prioritizes: Christian-oriented education and gospel music preservation. The foundation pairs that cultural commitment with sustained support for Anderson University, including $250,000 in 2025, $180,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2023. Those repeated awards suggest a long-running relationship rather than isolated gifts. Its giving also reaches into the surrounding community through smaller awards to schools, ministries, and local civic organizations in Indiana. Liberty Christian School, Wheeler Mission, Alexandria Main Street, and the Anderson Symphony Orchestra all appear in recent grants, showing that the foundation funds both faith-based institutions and community-facing programs. Several gifts are general support, which indicates flexibility in how recipients use the funding. The foundation also appears to support scholarship and legacy-oriented efforts, including a scholarship account at Madison Cnty Community Fndn and a legacy fund at Wheeler Mission. Across the recent list, the pattern is steady, local, and centered on organizations connected to education, worship, music, and service.
In Christian higher education, the foundation gave $250,000 in 2025, $180,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2023 to Anderson University for general support. That repeated backing places the university at the center of its educational giving. Faith-based schooling also appears in awards to Liberty Christian School, which received $25,000 in 2025 and 2024 and $15,000 in 2023. The recurrence points to a sustained relationship with a local K–12 institution. Community ministries are another thread. Man 4 Man Ministries received $10,500 in 2024, $10,100 in 2023, and $10,000 in 2025 for general support. Wheeler Mission also received $25,000 in 2025 for general support and $25,000 in 2024 for the Rick & Julie Alvis Legacy Fund, combining direct operating support with legacy-building support. The foundation’s arts and civic interests show up in $15,000 grants to Anderson Symphony Orchestra in both 2024 and 2025, plus an $11,500 sponsorship for Paramount Theatre’s Dancing Like the Stars.
Gaither Charitable Foundation Inc’s typical grants are small relative to its largest awards: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $1,750, and the 75th percentile is $5,500. That distribution sits alongside a few much larger gifts, which means the portfolio is weighted toward modest awards with some major exceptions. The recent record shows repeat funding across multiple years for several recipients, including Anderson University, Liberty Christian School, Wheeler Mission, Man 4 Man Ministries, Madison Cnty Community Fndn, and Anderson Symphony Orchestra. The pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants. It is a private foundation, and it also funds individuals. The geographic scope is local, with giving heavily concentrated in Indiana. No application process is stated in the data.
$2.3M
$5.3M
$1.3M
$2.4M
Most grants fall between $1K and $6K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$6K
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Notable grantees: Anderson University, Gospel Music Trust Fund
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Indiana, with 94% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Anderson appears repeatedly, including Anderson University, Liberty Christian School, Madison Cnty Community Fndn, Anderson Symphony Orchestra, and Leadership Academy Madison Cnty. Alexandria also appears through Alexandria Main Street and Levisway Inc. Outside Indiana, recent grants include Brentwood, Tennessee; Silver Spring, Maryland; Hartsdale, New York; Parrish, Florida; and Marion, Indiana.
The foundation’s recent grants cluster around Christian higher education, gospel music preservation, and faith-based community work. Anderson University, the Gospel Music Trust Fund, Liberty Christian School, Wheeler Mission, and Man 4 Man Ministries all appear in the recent record.
Yes. Anderson University appears with $250,000 in 2025, $180,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2023. Liberty Christian School, Wheeler Mission, Man 4 Man Ministries, Madison Cnty Community Fndn, and Anderson Symphony Orchestra also recur across multiple years.
The grant-size distribution is small for most awards: p25 is $1,000, median is $1,750, and p75 is $5,500. Recent grants also include a few much larger awards, including $500,000 and $250,000.
Most grants go to Indiana recipients: 94% of grants are to organizations in the foundation’s HQ state. Anderson, Indianapolis, Marion, Muncie, and Alexandria all appear in the recent grant list.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, and its recent giving also includes scholarship-related support such as a scholarship account at Madison Cnty Community Fndn.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOSPEL MUSIC TRUST FUND | BRENTWOOD, TN | $500,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| TAYLOR UNIVERSITY | UPLAND, IN | $500,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ANDERSON UNIVERSITY | ANDERSON, IN | $500,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | ANDERSON, IN | $150,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| HEART FOR LEBANON | BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ANDERSON FIRST UNITED METHODIST | ANDERSON, IN | $75,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| WHEELER MISSION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA KIWANIS CLUB | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| LEADERSHIP ACADEMY MADISON CNTY | ANDERSON, IN | $33,750 | 2026 | DANCE MARATHON / SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ANDERSON PREPARATORY ACADEMY | ANDERSON, IN | $30,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $30,000 | 2026 | ANDERSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA |
| CHURCH ST COMMONS | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | NEW ROOF |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | MUNCIE, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | ANDERSON MUSEUM OF ART |
| MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $17,500 | 2026 | DONATION |
| MAN 4 MAN MINISTRIES | ANDERSON, IN | $15,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| MADISON COUNTY ALLIANCE FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ANDERSON, IN | $6,329 | 2026 | EMPTY STOCKING FUND |
| COMM HOSP ANDERSON FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | COMM CHEFS APRON SPONSORSHIP |
| ANDERSON CHRISTIAN CENTER | ANDERSON, IN | $5,500 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ANDERSON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA CHURCH OF NAZARENE | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION CHURCH | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| AXEXANDRIA-MONROE HIGH SCHOOL | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIAL POLICE DEPARTMENT | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| KEVIN'S KIDS | FRANKLIN, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| BRIDGEWAY CHRISTIAN CENTER | MUNCIE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ST VINCENT ANDERSON REGIONAL FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | KIDS CLASSIC |
| ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS |
| MADISON CNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| WOMEN OF PHILANTHROPY | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | MATCHING DONATION |
| LEVISWAY INC | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | INDIANA LIVING LEGENDS |
| PARK PLACE CHURCH OF GOD | ANDERSON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $4,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY CENTER | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $3,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| HIGHER LEVEL SPORTS CAMP | PENDLETON, IN | $3,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| CHURCH ST COMMONS | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $3,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA TOY DRIVE | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $2,650 | 2026 | DONATIONS |
| ANDERSON EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ANDERSON, IN | $2,500 | 2026 | TOP 20 EVENT |
| THE CHRISTIAN CENTER | ANDERSON, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | THANKSGIVING DINNER |
| UNITED WAY OF MADISON CNTY | ANDERSON, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| MADISON CNTY ECON DEVELOPMENT | ANDERSON, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORP | ALEXANDRIA, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GARTH CONE READING PROGRAM |
| SECRET FAMILIES OF MADISON CNTY | ANDERSON, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ORANGEHAUS MUSIC ANDERSON UNIVERSITY | ANDERSON, IN | $1,950 | 2026 | SOMNIUM / SCHOLARSHIP |
GOSPEL MUSIC TRUST FUND
$500,000DONATION
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$150,000DONATION
ANDERSON FIRST UNITED METHODIST
$75,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA KIWANIS CLUB
$50,000DONATION
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY MADISON CNTY
$33,750DANCE MARATHON / SCHOLARSHIPS
ANDERSON PREPARATORY ACADEMY
$30,000DONATION
MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN
$30,000ANDERSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
CHURCH ST COMMONS
$25,000NEW ROOF
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$25,000DONATION
MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN
$25,000ANDERSON MUSEUM OF ART
MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN
$17,500DONATION
MAN 4 MAN MINISTRIES
$15,000DONATION
MADISON COUNTY ALLIANCE FNDN
$10,000DONATION
THE SALVATION ARMY
$6,329EMPTY STOCKING FUND
COMM HOSP ANDERSON FNDN
$6,000COMM CHEFS APRON SPONSORSHIP
ANDERSON CHRISTIAN CENTER
$5,500DONATION
ANDERSON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$5,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA CHURCH OF NAZARENE
$5,000DONATION
CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION CHURCH
$5,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$5,000DONATION
AXEXANDRIA-MONROE HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
$5,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
$5,000DONATION
KEVIN'S KIDS
$5,000DONATION
BRIDGEWAY CHRISTIAN CENTER
$5,000DONATION
ST VINCENT ANDERSON REGIONAL FNDN
$5,000KIDS CLASSIC
ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
MADISON CNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS
$5,000DONATION
WOMEN OF PHILANTHROPY
$5,000DONATION
MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND
MADISON CNTY COMMUNITY FNDN
$5,000MATCHING DONATION
LEVISWAY INC
$5,000DONATION
PARK PLACE CHURCH OF GOD
$5,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY CENTER
$3,000DONATION
HIGHER LEVEL SPORTS CAMP
$3,000DONATION
CHURCH ST COMMONS
$3,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA TOY DRIVE
$2,650DONATIONS
ANDERSON EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$2,500TOP 20 EVENT
THE CHRISTIAN CENTER
$2,000THANKSGIVING DINNER
UNITED WAY OF MADISON CNTY
$2,000DONATION
MADISON CNTY ECON DEVELOPMENT
$2,000DONATION
ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORP
$2,000GARTH CONE READING PROGRAM
SECRET FAMILIES OF MADISON CNTY
$2,000DONATION
ORANGEHAUS MUSIC ANDERSON UNIVERSITY
$1,950SOMNIUM / SCHOLARSHIP