The James W and Frances Gibson
The James W and Frances Gibson is a private foundation based in Bristol, Virginia. In 2024, it reported 36 grants totaling $4,156,470, supporting recipients including educational institutions, health-related programs, youth organizations, and a flood-relief effort.
The James W and Frances Gibson at a glance
In short: The James W and Frances Gibson gave $4.2M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $115K), mostly in Virginia. 43% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,156,470
- +49.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +44.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $115,458
- +3.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $31,250
- Total assets
- $61,690,026
- +17.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (13 of 30, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The James W and Frances Gibson
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1005 Glenway Avenue, Bristol, VA 24201
Phone: (276) 645-1436
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The James W and Frances Gibson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Appalacian College of Pharmacy ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 142 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Virginia recipients received 85% of grant dollars. Other recipient-state shares were Maryland, 6%; Tennessee, 3%; Connecticut, 2%; and Minnesota, 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The James W and Frances Gibson open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 30 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $103K; repeat grants $166K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 155% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.8M (2023) to $4.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Appalacian College of Pharmacy Oakwood, VA | Pharmacy education to address health-related needs to rural & underserved communities | $1,000,000 |
| William & Mary Marshall Wythe School of Law Foundation Williamsburg, VA | Scholarship Fund | $626,117 |
| William & Mary Business School Foundation Williamsburg, VA | Scholarship Fund | $625,991 |
| MCV Foundation Richmond, VA | Scholarship Funds for Medical Students | $375,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Establish mcglothlin fellows to faculty fund for training of oncology fellows | $250,000 |
| Appalachian School of Law Grundy, VA | Assist law school in hiring professors, providing scholarships and increasing bar passage, programming and building | $100,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia Grundy, VA | Support stem, simulated workforce programs; academic assistance & enrichment programming | $100,000 |
| Emory & Henry College Emory, VA | School of Business Curriculum Funding | $100,000 |
| Fellowship Chapel Bristol, VA | Purchase Supplies for Flood Victims | $100,000 |
| Mountain Mission School Inc Grundy, VA | Mountain Mission School Choir Program | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $61,690,026 | $9,928,819 | $5,356,324 | $4,156,470 | 36 | $4,394,547 | $4,922,782 | $2,840,300 |
| 2023 | $52,382,939 | $2,862,404 | $3,850,369 | $2,789,785 | 25 | $3,021,179 | $2,604,335 | $2,481,764 |
| 2022 | $50,108,022 | $10,173,528 | $3,666,213 | $3,064,033 | 27 | $3,256,661 | $4,971,587 | $2,291,582 |
| 2021 | $55,479,136 | $5,807,937 | $5,348,481 | $4,035,846 | 29 | $4,178,997 | $4,606,396 | $2,491,303 |
| 2020 | $49,101,917 | $1,911,691 | $3,124,794 | $2,829,056 | 25 | — | $1,737,593 | $2,187,900 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The James W and Frances Gibson reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated direct charitable activity is the Camp for Kids program. Its 2024 grants included scholarship support for students at William & Mary’s law and business schools and MCV Foundation, pharmacy education addressing health-related needs in rural and underserved communities, and oncology fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University. Other grants supported a law school, a youth organization’s STEM and academic programming, a school choir, and supplies for flood victims.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. William & Mary Business School Foundation says it advances the goals of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business through scholarships and programmatic, operational, and center support. Appalachian School of Law says it provides opportunities for people from Appalachia and beyond to pursue legal careers and better their communities. Mountain Mission School describes itself as a full child care facility providing home, school, and church services for children with legitimate needs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 36 grants totaling $4,156,470. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $31,250.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $1,000,000 to Appalachian College of Pharmacy for pharmacy education addressing health-related needs in rural and underserved communities; $626,117 to William & Mary Marshall Wythe School of Law Foundation and $625,991 to William & Mary Business School Foundation, both for scholarship funds; $375,000 to MCV Foundation for medical student scholarships; and $250,000 to Johns Hopkins University to establish a fund for training oncology fellows. Other grants of $100,000 each included support for Appalachian School of Law, Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia, Emory & Henry College, Fellowship Chapel, Mountain Mission School, Quinnipiac University, and Mayo Clinic.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James W McGlothlin as chairman/director and Frances G McGlothlin as vice chairman/VP/secretary. Other listed officers and directors are Israel D O’Quinn, president/CEO/director; Barbara Bjerke, treasurer; Claire Davis, executive director/assistant secretary; and directors Sam F Ewing, Lois A Clarke, Martin L Kent, R Brad Martin, and Martha McGlothlin Bowman.
The James W and Frances Gibson is led by Israel D. O'Quinn, President, CEO & Director on every filing since 2023; 2 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Israel D. O'Quinn
President, CEO & Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$31K (2023) → $53K (2024)
Claire Davis
Executive Director & Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Executive Director & Assistant Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$28K (2022) → $38K (2024)
James W. McGlothlin
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lois A. Clarke
Director
President, CEO & Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$57K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Fay H. Street
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha McGlothlin Bowman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin L. Kent
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Brad Martin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam F. Ewing
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Bjerke
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frances G. McGlothlin
Vice Chairman, Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Peggy Littleton (2020–2021) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $53K, to Israel D O'Quinn (President/CEO/Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The James W and Frances Gibson
How much does The James W and Frances Gibson give each year?
The James W and Frances Gibson gave $4.2M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.8M across 25 grants.
What is The James W and Frances Gibson's typical grant size?
The James W and Frances Gibson's median grant in 2024 was $31,250, and its average grant was $115,458, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The James W and Frances Gibson that year got $103K on average.
Where does The James W and Frances Gibson give grants?
The James W and Frances Gibson gives mostly in Virginia: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Williamsburg, VA (6 grants), Grundy, VA (5 grants), Bristol, VA (4 grants) and Bristol, TN (3 grants).
Does The James W and Frances Gibson give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of The James W and Frances Gibson's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The James W and Frances Gibson's largest grantees?
The James W and Frances Gibson's largest 2024 grantees include Appalacian College of Pharmacy ($1,000,000), William & Mary Marshall Wythe School of Law Foundation ($753,798 across 3 grants) and William & Mary Business School Foundation ($753,672 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The James W and Frances Gibson?
The James W and Frances Gibson reported $61.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The James W and Frances Gibson fund?
The foundation’s stated direct charitable activity is the Camp for Kids program. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The James W and Frances Gibson?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The James W and Frances Gibson's EIN?
The James W and Frances Gibson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3533035. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The James W and Frances Gibson accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The James W and Frances Gibson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-james-w-and-frances-gibson-morg_da5ba5b782a940a2af18fc2538452aa2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_263533035_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The James W and Frances Gibson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-james-w-and-frances-gibson-morg_da5ba5b782a940a2af18fc2538452aa2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The James W and Frances Gibson's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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