The Gibney Family Foundation Inc

What The Gibney Family Foundation Inc does

The Gibney Family Foundation Inc (TGFF) is a private family foundation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated on August 23, 1991 in Sarasota, Florida by Al Gibney and his three children (Joan Whittaker, Sue Young, and Frank Gibney), now operating with a mailing address in Meridian, Idaho and a staff of 1–10. Its mission is to partner with others to develop sustainable resources for organizations that foster independence, primarily for people who are blind and visually impaired, with a formal commitment to allocate at least 51% of annual grantmaking to that cause and the remainder distributed to other community causes via family grant sponsors.

The foundation offers three grant products: Mini Grants (up to $5,000, typically for first-time applicants), Regular Grants (greater than $5,000, for established partners that have previously received a Mini Grant), and a limited Multi-Year Grants track for organizations needing extended funding horizons. Grants are distributed only to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with an individualized one-on-one application process involving family grant sponsors, conference calls, site visits, and ongoing capacity-building support. Since inception, TGFF reports $20.4M distributed to 312 organizations.

The business model is philanthropic grantmaking rather than commercial revenue generation: TGFF does not sell products or services and has no disclosed pricing model. Distribution occurs through a relationship-based, sponsor-mediated channel complemented by a website (tgff.org). The foundation has built a network of 26+ named partner organizations across at least a dozen U.S. states, spanning sub-segments such as braille literacy, early childhood education, IT training, employment, and adaptive sports for the blind and visually impaired. There are no technology products, AI components, or acquisitions in scope; the technology footprint is limited to a WordPress-based website that is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, evaluated with the Blind Institute of Technology.

Name

The Gibney Family Foundation Inc

Legal name

The Gibney Family Foundation Inc

Website

https://tgff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Gibney Family Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) family foundation, founded in 1991, that provides Mini, Regular, and Multi-Year grants to qualifying U.S. nonprofits fostering independence primarily for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Finance Services (6199), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD), Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking Advisory (FSAAADAG)

Keywords

• Grantmaking foundation
• Nonprofit philanthropy
• Visual impairment services
• Family foundation grants
• 501(c)(3) grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Meridian

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

The Gibney Family Foundation is a private family foundation that provides financial grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. It operates three grant programs — Mini Grants (up to $5,000), Regular Grants (greater than $5,000), and Multi-Year Grants — primarily supporting organizations that foster independence for people who are blind and visually impaired, with at least 51% of annual grantmaking dedicated to this cause.

Product overview

The Gibney Family Foundation is a philanthropic grant-making organization that provides funding to non-profit organizations. The foundation operates three distinct grant programs: Mini Grants (up to $5,000 for first-time or smaller-scale partnerships), Regular Grants (greater than $5,000 for established partner organizations), and Multi-Year Grants (limited availability for longer-term projects). TGFF maintains a strategic focus with at least 51% of annual grantmaking dedicated to organizations supporting people who are blind and visually impaired.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mini Grants

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Council of the Blind (ACB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national organization working to create a society without barriers for the blind and visually impaired community through advocacy, public awareness, collaboration and support. Located in Alexandria, VA.
• Blind Children's CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrepares infants, toddlers, and preschoolers of all abilities to thrive through inclusive, family-focused early childhood education, with a specialized focus on children who are blind or visually impaired. Located in Los Angeles, CA.
• Blind Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks to prepare blind and visually impaired individuals (BVI) with information technology (IT) and other in-demand skills and supports employers who hire them for success in the workplace. TGFF and BIT have worked together to evaluate the TGFF website against WCAG standards. Located in Thornton, CO.
• City Access New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes lifelong access to information, programs and services for individuals with developmental and sensory disabilities to reach a maximum level of independence and integration into their communities. Located in Staten Island, NY.
• Computers for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpens the world of information technology to persons who are blind or visually impaired by providing computer equipment, software, and training. Located in Richardson, Texas.
• Conklin Davis Center for the Visually ImpairedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides a lifetime of comprehensive services that create unlimited hope, opportunity, and independence for blind and visually impaired people. Located in Daytona Beach, FL.
• Earle Baum Center of the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates hope and opportunities for people impacted by sight loss to embrace and enrich their personal, social, and economic lives. Located in Santa Rosa, CA.
• Foundation for Blind ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides education, tools and services that enable all persons with vision loss to achieve greater independence. Located in Phoenix, AZ.
• Future in SightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on supporting independence for those with vision loss. Located in Concord, NH.
• Lighthouse for the Blind and Low VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaximizes independence and provides employment opportunities for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Located in Tampa, FL.
• Lighthouse Vision Loss Education CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducates and empowers those affected by vision loss so they may enjoy happy, healthy and independent lives. Located in Sarasota, FL.
• Lowell Association for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports, educates, and nurtures the blind and visually impaired residents of the Greater Merrimack Valley by helping them enrich their lives and gain independence. Located in Lowell, MA.
• Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually ImpairedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIs committed to supporting individuals to successfully adapt to living with vision loss by teaching new strategies for daily activities. Located in Brookline, MA.
• National Braille PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers the blind and visually impaired with programs, materials, and technology supporting braille literacy and learning through touch. Located in Boston, MA.
• NewView OklahomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers individuals facing vision loss, maximizing their opportunities to live without limits through all stages of life. Located in Oklahoma City, OK.
• Northwest Association for Blind AthletescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Located in Vancouver, WA.
• Perkins School for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps prepare children and young adults who are blind with the education, confidence, and skills they need to realize their potential. Located in Watertown, MA.
• SAAVI Services for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultivates growth and opportunity for blind people through nonvisual skills training, demonstrating that all challenges have solutions, while fostering self-efficacy through empowerment and confidence. Located in Tucson, AZ.
• Seedlings Braille Books for ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy and education by providing high quality, free and low cost braille books for children. Located in Livonia, MI.
• Ski for Light, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnhances the quality of life and independence of visually or mobility-impaired adults through a program of cross-country skiing. Located in Minneapolis, MN.
• The Carroll Center for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers those who are blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. Located in Newton, MA.
• The Iris NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps people with vision impairment or blindness attain independence and community integration. Located in Portland, ME.
• United States Association of Blind AthletescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers Americans who are blind and visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation and physical activities, thereby educating and inspiring the nation. Located in Colorado Springs, CO.
• Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually ImpairedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnables Vermonters who are blind or visually impaired to be more independent, cultivate adaptive skills and improve their quality of life. Located in South Burlington, VT.
• VisionServe AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngages leaders in building a better world through services for people with vision loss. Located in St. Louis, MO.
• Visually Impaired Preschool ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers families by providing educational excellence to young children with visual impairments in order to build a strong foundation for reaching their highest potential. Located in Louisville, KY.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation: A foundation dedicated to funding programs that assist people who are blind or visually impaired. Direct comparable in cause area and grantmaking focus, though established as a corporate-affiliated foundation rather than a family foundation.
• The Overbrook Foundation: A private family foundation supporting a range of causes including disability and human services. Comparable structure (private family foundation with multi-generational involvement) though with broader thematic scope than TGFF's blindness focus.
• The Lavelle Fund for the Blind: A private family foundation dedicated to supporting services for blind and visually impaired individuals in the U.S. Direct comparable in scope, structure (private family foundation), and narrow mission focus on blindness services.

Broad incumbents

• American Foundation for the Blind: A national nonprofit serving as a leading advocacy and resource organization for people with vision loss. Highly comparable mission and beneficiary population, though AFB is a much larger operating nonprofit rather than a private grantmaking foundation.
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: A national nonprofit driving retinal disease research and supporting affected individuals. Operates in the same blindness-services ecosystem TGFF funds, though with a stronger research-funding orientation and broader institutional footprint.
• Prevent Blindness: A national nonprofit focused on eye health and vision safety across the U.S. Comparable cause area at the vision-loss intersection, though operating more in public health and prevention rather than direct blindness services.
• National Federation of the Blind: The largest U.S. membership organization of the blind, providing advocacy, education, and direct services. Closely aligned beneficiary population and one of TGFF's named strategic partners.
• Helen Keller International: A global nonprofit combating preventable blindness and malnutrition. Shared mission focus on vision loss, with a much larger international footprint than TGFF's U.S.-only operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-gibney-family-foundation-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Gibney Family Foundation Inc