Gibson Gives Foundation appears to concentrate its philanthropy on supporting its own branded program, directing funds internally for program operations and fundraising. The single large grant in the dataset funds the “Play It Forward” program, indicating a focus on sustaining a corporate program rather than making external grants. This suggests the foundation operates as a vehicle for the company’s music-related outreach and fundraising activities.
A $343,057 grant to Gibson Gives - Play It Forward Program stands out as the clearest signal in this foundation’s recent record: the funder repeatedly backs music-related programs, scholarship vehicles, and affiliated nonprofit partners. Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives also awarded $252,359 to Guitars for Vets in Kenosha and $94,125 to the Nashville Symphony Association, showing a mix of large operating support and scholarship-oriented or program-use awards. The dataset includes recurring support for music education, live-performance access, and arts programming, alongside grants tied to fundraising or specific program operations. The foundation’s recent work also reaches beyond a single recipient type. It has funded other foundations, museums, educational institutions, and music-service nonprofits, including Save the Music Foundation, Music Forward Foundation, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Several grants are framed for program use, fundraising efforts, or scholarship support, which suggests a structure built around sustaining existing music initiatives rather than one-off project launches. Its largest grants sit well above the typical award size, while many smaller commitments support local music education and community arts efforts.
Music education is the most visible theme across the grants list. Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives gave $141,125 to Save the Music Foundation in New York for program use and fundraising efforts, and it also made a $51,643 grant to Save the Music in New York for music education and the arts. Scholarships are another recurring lane. The foundation awarded $58,000 to Music Forward Foundation in Beverly Hills as foundation giving to another foundation or for scholarships, and it gave $79,125 to Napa Valley Youth Symphony for the same broad category. The arts also appear in live-performance and heritage contexts. A $50,000 grant supported The Caverns Sessions (PBS) in Nashville, and $66,286 went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as a Lou Scruggs Memorial sponsorship. In health-related giving, the foundation provided $60,000 to Musicares Foundation for medical supplies for overdose prevention.
Typical awards are modest compared with the largest grants: the p25 grant size is $2,999, the median is $5,698, and the p75 is $12,844. That spread suggests a large volume of smaller gifts, with a narrower set of larger program or partnership commitments layered on top. The recent record also shows repeat recipients across years, including several organizations that appear more than once, which points to ongoing relationships rather than purely one-time support. Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives also accepts unsolicited donation requests through a Submittable-based request process, and it makes both grant and donation-style awards.
$2.5M
$626K
$3.1M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $3K and $13K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$13K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 791 | $9.3M | 99.9% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Highly concentrated: a single, large grant made to the foundation’s own program (internal program/fundraising support) rather than distributed external grants.
Notable grantees: Gibson Gives — Play It Forward Program
Grants are national in scope, but Tennessee is the clearest geographic center of activity by count, with 31% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Nashville appears repeatedly, including awards to Gibson Gives - Play It Forward Program, Gibson Brands Inc Co Gibson Gives, and the Nashville Symphony Association. Outside Tennessee, notable recipient locations include New York City, Kenosha and Milwaukee in Wisconsin, and New Orleans in Louisiana. The recipient-country mix is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with one grant to Canada in the dataset.
The grants center on music education, scholarships, live-performance support, and music-related community programs. Recent awards include support for program use, fundraising efforts, scholarship funds, and music-access initiatives through foundations, schools, museums, and nonprofit music organizations.
The typical grant size is $2,999 at the 25th percentile, $5,698 at the median, and $12,844 at the 75th percentile. That pattern shows many smaller awards, with a smaller number of larger grants above the median.
Yes. The dataset includes a request-donation portal through Submittable for organizations or programs seeking donations, grants, or instrument support. It also lists an Epiphone equipment donation program that directs organizations to the same request process.
Giving is national, but Tennessee receives the largest share by count: 31% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Nashville appears often among recipient locations, along with New York, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and New Orleans.
Yes. Several organizations recur in the recent-grants list, including Save the Music Foundation, Guitars for Vets, and Magee-Women's Research Institute and Foundation (Woman Who Rock). That repetition suggests ongoing relationships in parts of the portfolio.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 1 |
| $29K |
0.1% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUITAR CENTER MUSIC FOUNDATION | WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA | $214,115 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSICARES | SANTA MONICA, CA | $143,068 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $59,606 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,142 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| WILLIAMSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION | FRANKLIN, TN | $49,410 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| SONGBIRDS FOUNDATION | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $42,250 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| ACM LIFTING LIVES | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,241 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| WOMEN WHO ROCK | PITTSBURGH, PA | $40,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| LAUNCH PAD FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $35,686 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $33,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| FRIENDS OF AMERICAN SONG ARCHIVES INC (IN SUPPORT OF WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER AND BOB | TULSA, OK | $31,766 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| TRANSYLVANIAN SYMPHONY FOUNDATION INC | YUKON, OK | $30,243 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSICARES FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $27,149 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| THE MIDNIGHT MISSION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,852 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| FARM AID | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,364 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| HARVEST HANDS | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,700 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| GIVE A NOTE FOUNDATION | CARMEL, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| SECOND LINE ARTS COLLECTIVE | KENNER, LA | $19,419 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSIC HAS HEALING POWER | AGOURA HILLS, CA | $18,641 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| THE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $17,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MAKE-A-WISH MIDDLE TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $17,246 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| LEAVING A POSITIVE LEGACY INC VIA JAZZFEST | LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL | $16,793 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSCLE SHOALS SONGWRITERS FOUNDATION | ATHENS, AL | $15,995 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| GUITARS NOT GUNS | MILLIKEN, CO | $15,886 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | AVON, CO | $15,294 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $14,696 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MAGEE-WOMENS RESEARCH INSTITUTE & WOMEN WHO ROCK | PITTSBURGH, PA | $14,672 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| BLUE SAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS | PAONIA, CO | $14,473 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| VETSAID | WASHINGTON, DC | $13,392 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| STAND UP TO CANCER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $13,021 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSIC FOR SENIORS | NASHVILLE, TN | $12,997 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSICIANS EMPOWERMENT COLLECTIVE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $12,996 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL ALSAC | MEMPHIS, TN | $12,694 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $12,477 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSIC WILL | COVINA, CA | $12,295 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| PURDUE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION LLC | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $12,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| RESTRING APPALACHIA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $11,697 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| ALICE COOPER'S SOLID ROCK TEEN CENTER | PHOENIX, AZ | $11,496 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,998 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| THE BIG GOOD | FORT WORTH, TX | $10,896 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| WEST VIRGINIA DRUG INTERVENTION INSTITUTE | CHARLESTON, WV | $10,772 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| EXPERIENCE LEARNING COMMUNITY DBA MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE MOPOP | SEATTLE, WA | $10,698 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC EDUCATION TIME | FAIRVIEW, TN | $10,598 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| MUSIC HEALS INTERNATIONAL | MILL VALLEY, CA | $10,395 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| THE LAUFEY FOUNDATION INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE | BROOMFIELD, CO | $9,996 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| NAMIORG | ARLINGTON, VA | $9,900 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| RYAN SEACREST FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $9,841 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
| WHYHUNGER INC | NEW YORK, NY | $9,797 | 2026 | PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS |
GUITAR CENTER MUSIC FOUNDATION
$214,115PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSICARES
$143,068PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS
$59,606PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION
$50,142PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
WILLIAMSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
$49,410PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
SONGBIRDS FOUNDATION
$42,250PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
ACM LIFTING LIVES
$40,241PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
WOMEN WHO ROCK
$40,000PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION
$40,000PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
LAUNCH PAD FOUNDATION
$35,686PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION
$33,000PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
FRIENDS OF AMERICAN SONG ARCHIVES INC (IN SUPPORT OF WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER AND BOB
$31,766PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
TRANSYLVANIAN SYMPHONY FOUNDATION INC
$30,243PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSICARES FOUNDATION
$27,149PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
THE MIDNIGHT MISSION
$25,852PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
FARM AID
$25,364PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
HARVEST HANDS
$20,700PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
GIVE A NOTE FOUNDATION
$20,000PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
SECOND LINE ARTS COLLECTIVE
$19,419PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSIC HAS HEALING POWER
$18,641PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
THE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH
$17,500PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MAKE-A-WISH MIDDLE TENNESSEE
$17,246PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
LEAVING A POSITIVE LEGACY INC VIA JAZZFEST
$16,793PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSCLE SHOALS SONGWRITERS FOUNDATION
$15,995PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
GUITARS NOT GUNS
$15,886PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION
$15,294PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$14,696PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MAGEE-WOMENS RESEARCH INSTITUTE & WOMEN WHO ROCK
$14,672PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
BLUE SAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$14,473PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
VETSAID
$13,392PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
STAND UP TO CANCER
$13,021PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSIC FOR SENIORS
$12,997PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSICIANS EMPOWERMENT COLLECTIVE
$12,996PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL ALSAC
$12,694PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION
$12,477PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSIC WILL
$12,295PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
PURDUE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION LLC
$12,000PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
RESTRING APPALACHIA
$11,697PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
ALICE COOPER'S SOLID ROCK TEEN CENTER
$11,496PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
$10,998PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
THE BIG GOOD
$10,896PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
WEST VIRGINIA DRUG INTERVENTION INSTITUTE
$10,772PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
EXPERIENCE LEARNING COMMUNITY DBA MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE MOPOP
$10,698PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC EDUCATION TIME
$10,598PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
MUSIC HEALS INTERNATIONAL
$10,395PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
THE LAUFEY FOUNDATION INC
$10,000PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE
$9,996PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
NAMIORG
$9,900PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
RYAN SEACREST FOUNDATION
$9,841PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
WHYHUNGER INC
$9,797PROGRAM USE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
Current and upcoming funding from Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations with a music-based mission (schools, nonprofits). Eligibility and approvals are determined by Gibson Gives; applicants are asked to submit organizational information via the Request Donation form.
Deadline: No specific deadlines listed; requests are submitted via portal and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.