The Gipson Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1996 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since April 1997. It operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic giving to charitable causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$56.6M
+13.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+25.6% YoY
Grant Count
66
-2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+29.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gipson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving primarily supports social services and Protestant churches and ministries. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation also funds education initiatives, including classroom grants for educators, and supports human services organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants with typical award amounts ranging from $500 to $985,000. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on North Carolina, Maine, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $56,591,845
- Total Revenue: $5,351,433
- Total Expenses: $2,721,712
- Net Income: $2,629,721
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $56,591,845 | $50,017,273 | $42,487,288 |
| Revenue | $5,351,433 | $3,534,036 | $5,183,284 |
| Expenses | $2,721,712 | $2,177,715 | $1,417,885 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,706,955 | $2,151,000 | $1,408,656 |
| Net Investment Income | $888,662 | $942,561 | $1,851,313 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,612,898 | $2,331,616 | $2,139,181 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Nc Museum of Art ($985,000), Hoosac School ($250,000), Franklin & Marshall College ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DURHAM, NC | GENERAL ACTIVITIES | $30,000 |
| AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL ACTIVITES | $30,000 |
| BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOUSE LONDON, NC | GENERA ACTIVITIES | $30,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS JACKSON, MI | GENERAL ACTIVITIES | $1,000 |
| BOSTON MARATHON JIMMY FUND WALK BOSTON, MA | GENERAL ACTIVITIES | $1,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF KINGS COUNTY SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL ACTIITIES | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS OF WAKE COUNTY RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL ACTIVITES | $25,000 |
| DONORS CHOOSE BRONX, NY | GENERAL ACTIVITIES | $15,000 |
| DOROTHEA DIX PARK CONSERVANCY RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL ACTIVITIES | $11,955 |
| FAMILES TOGETHER RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL ACTIVITIES | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders: Tom and Pat Gipson founded the Gipson Family Foundation in 2016. Tom Gipson is the founder of Thomas Gipson Homes and is known for creating the Home Builders Blitz with Habitat for Humanity, a national program that mobilizes home builders to construct homes for Habitat for Humanity. The couple has been married for 36 years and has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity and other charitable causes in the Raleigh area.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH CHEATHAM | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| DONALD GIPSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| CLAY GIPSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| CARY GIPSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| PATRICIA C GIPSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| THOMAS GIPSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting education and community development initiatives:
**Classroom Grants Program:** The foundation awarded classroom grants to educators in 2023 and 2024, providing surprise funding to support classroom projects and educational initiatives
2023 Classroom Grant Awards**Dix Park Development:** The foundation's $10 million gift to Dorothea Dix Park resulted in the naming of the Gipson Play Plaza, which will retain the Gipson name for 30 years. The plaza represents a transformational investment in Raleigh's public spaces
Gipsons make launch gift to MSSU Lions Forward fundraising campaign | Local**Educational Support:** The foundation has supported educators across multiple states, including awards to educators in Nebraska and other regions
GIPS Foundation Awards $12,091 for Surprise Classroom GrantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gipson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving primarily supports social services and Protestant churches and ministries. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation also funds education initiatives, including classroom grants for educators, and supports human services organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from Gipson Family Foundation?
The foundation makes grants with typical award amounts ranging from $500 to $985,000. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • **Classroom Grants:** The foundation has awarded surprise classroom grants to educators, with documented awards in 2023 and 2024 • **Major Gifts:** In 2021, the foundation made a transformational $10 million donation to support the Gipson Play Plaza at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, an 18.5-acre public space featuring a playground and plaza • **Total Annual Giving:** $2,7…
Where does Gipson Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on North Carolina, Maine, and New York.
What size grants does Gipson Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Gipson Family Foundation awarded 66 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gipson Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gipson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gipson Family Foundation's EIN?
Gipson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2001414. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gipson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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