Addison Gibson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,857,459 (2023)
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: Varies by healthcare provider needs
• Geographic Focus: Western Pennsylvania only
• Founded: 1937

Contact Details

Website: www.gibson-fnd.org Phone: (412) 261-1611 Address: One PPG Place, Suite 2230, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Medical Grants Contact: Rebecca Wallace - (412) 261-1611 Education Loans Contact: Lynn Dunbar - ldunbar@gibson-fnd.org

Overview

The Addison Gibson Foundation was established in 1937 through the will of Addison H. Gibson, an oil and gas industry pioneer from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. With nearly $4 million in annual giving, the foundation exclusively serves Western Pennsylvania residents through two specific channels mandated by its founder: medical care and higher education support. The foundation has quietly served the region for over 85 years, providing critical healthcare funding for uninsured patients and educational loans to help students manage college debt. In 2014, the foundation underwent restructuring to better address the growing student debt crisis while maintaining its healthcare mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Medical/Healthcare Grants

• Direct grants to healthcare providers (not patients)
• Focus on dental, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and other correctable medical conditions
• Amounts vary based on treatment needs
• Provider must contact foundation BEFORE treatment begins

Education Support (Loans, not grants)

• Undergraduate students: Total of $12,000 (divided over remaining years)
• Graduate students: Total of $18,000 (divided over remaining years)
• Low-interest loans for Western PA residents only

Priority Areas

• Dental care for uninsured/underinsured patients
• Ophthalmology and vision services
• Otolaryngology and hearing services
• Correctable medical conditions for self-supporting residents
• Student debt relief through low-interest loans

What They Don't Fund

• Medical bills already incurred (must contact before treatment)
• Patients outside Western Pennsylvania
• Education grants (only loans available)
• Non-medical or non-educational purposes

Governance and Leadership

Director Contact: Rebecca Wallace handles medical grant inquiries Education Loans Administrator: Lynn Dunbar oversees the student loan program

The foundation operates as a private foundation filing Form 990-PF and maintains a low public profile while focusing on direct service delivery to Western Pennsylvania residents in need.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Medical Grants: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from healthcare organizations. Medical grants operate through a patient referral system:

1. Patients must contact the foundation BEFORE receiving treatment
2. Requires referral from qualified physicians or social service workers
3. Contact Rebecca Wallace at (412) 261-1611
4. Provide information about condition, treatment needed, and costs
5. Foundation pays healthcare provider directly

For Education Loans:

1. Contact Lynn Dunbar at ldunbar@gibson-fnd.org or (412) 261-1611
2. Verify eligibility (must have completed one year of college, 2.8+ GPA)
3. Schedule an interview
4. Must be enrolled full-time at accredited institution

Decision Timeline

Varies by program and individual case urgency

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's operational model and known grants:

• For Healthcare Providers: The foundation has established relationships with certain providers like the Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh. Building a referral relationship appears key to accessing funds for your patients.

• Critical Requirements: The foundation will NOT pay for medical services already rendered - timing is essential. Patients must contact the foundation before treatment begins.

• Patient Eligibility Focus: The foundation specifically helps "self-supporting residents" with correctable conditions who lack insurance or ability to pay - providers should identify patients meeting these criteria.

• Regional Limitation: All beneficiaries must be Western Pennsylvania residents - the foundation is strict about geographic boundaries.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation primarily operates through a referral-based system rather than accepting unsolicited grant proposals • Healthcare organizations seeking partnership should focus on establishing referral relationships for patient services • The foundation's $100,000 grant to Eye & Ear Foundation (2023) demonstrates capacity for substantial institutional support for organizations serving low-income patients • Medical grants require pre-approval before treatment - retroactive funding is explicitly excluded • Education support is limited to loans only, not grants • All programs strictly limited to Western Pennsylvania residents • The foundation maintains a low public profile but has consistent annual giving around $3-4 million

References

• Cause IQ: Addison Gibson Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/addison-gibson-foundation,250965379/
• Charity Navigator: Addison Gibson Foundation EIN 250965379. Accessed March 2024. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/250965379
• Eye & Ear Foundation: "Eye & Ear Foundation Receives $100,000 Grant from Addison Gibson Foundation." November 2023. https://eyeandear.org/2023/11/2023-addison-gibson-grant/
• Instrumentl: Addison Gibson Foundation 990 Report. Accessed March 2024. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/addison-gibson-foundation
• Foundation Directory (Candid): Addison Gibson Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2024. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=GIBS001
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Addison Gibson Foundation. Accessed March 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/250965379
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Addison Gibson Foundation restructures to focus on aiding student debt." July 2, 2014. https://www.post-gazette.com/business/2014/07/02/Addison-Gibson-Foundation-restructures-to-focus-on-aiding-student-debt/stories/201407020010