There is no doubt that when you think of iconic companies around the world, Gibson Guitar is near the top of the list. But there's more to Gibson than just making some of the world's greatest instruments -- there is a heart and soul of giving back that spans throughout the company and across the globe.
People recognize the Gibson Les Paul guitar and its unmistakable sound, whether in the hands of a blues legend like John Lee Hooker or rockers like Zakk Wylde, Slash or Jimmy Page. AC/DC's Angus Young made the Gibson SG synonymous with rock anthems, inspiring several generations of guitarists. Keith Richards plays a Gibson and so does Jeff Beck. But the tone, the look and the feel of Gibson is only part of the great American icon that many know. Picking up a Gibson guitar gives you a feeling of inspiration -- it makes you want to play and seems to bring out the best in each guitarist that holds one. You know right away why all of the greats use it as their guitar of choice. While we may know Gibson as the company that lets us feel music, millions of people around the world are inspired by Gibson and its CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, for entirely different reasons. It’s a quiet, yet amazing journey Juszkiewicz began in 2002 when he founded the Gibson Foundation.
The Gibson Foundation was created as a way for Gibson to help make the world a better place for children. Not only does the Gibson Foundation support existing efforts around the world, it also actively develops its own programs where it sees it can make a meaningful difference. Health, education, the environment, music and the arts all play a role in the Gibson Foundation’s extensive reach worldwide.
You would expect a music company like Gibson to support music and music education-based charities. And it does strongly support organizations including the BB King Museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Blues Foundation, the National Association for Music Education (MENC) and the International Society of Music Education (ISME), the GRAMMY Foundation, MusiCares and the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. But beyond the “notes” there are millions of people benefiting and touched from the unselfish support of this great American Icon. Examples of the worldwide reach of Gibson Guitar include A Child’s Right, Doctors without Borders, First Book, Global Green, Global Water Challenge, Hole In The Wall Camps, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Nordoff-Robbins, UNICEF, WaterAid and many others.
The Gibson Foundation has helped bring clean water and hygiene to the Benue State of Nigeria through WaterAid, and to orphanages and schools in third world countries though A Child's Right. Through its support of Free The Children, Gibson Foundation has built a school in sub-Saharan Africa; and Teenage Cancer Trust, Ronald McDonald House Charities, UNICEF and others have received support to help fight serious health issues affecting children.
The Gibson Foundation, recognized as one of the best companies in America supporting the arts (recipient of the BCA TEN award), has donated millions of dollars to charitable organizations. As an immediate response to help the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, in 2005 Juszkiewicz partnered with U2’s the Edge and legendary producer Bob Ezrin to create one of the most successful grassroots initiatives – Music Rising. This award-winning program has raised over $2 million dollars to date, and benefited tens of thousands of individuals by providing new instruments to musicians, school, church and community music programs throughout the Gulf Coast region. Always, with an eye on the future and recognizing the need to preserve the great musical heritage of this region, Music Rising and the Gibson Foundation will partner with a major university and Gulf Coast music experts to provide accredited courses and substantial learning materials that will be made available to educational institutions throughout the country and, eventually, around the world.
The ongoing GuitarTown programs, which feature 10-foot tall artistically designed guitar sculptures, have raised over $1.4 million, all of which has been donated back to charitable causes in each of the cities where the programs have taken place. This project, also developed and administered by the Gibson Foundation, brings together local visual artists, corporations, and celebrities to support their charitable causes.
Juszkiewicz believes that "anyone that is well-to-do and in a leadership position has an obligation to help people that are not so fortunate." This sense of giving back to the community and the world also inspires others to join in his efforts. Gibson employees volunteered their time to go to New Orleans when the region was pulling itself back together after the hurricane. And, Gibson Foundation and Gibson employees were among the first responders to the recent crisis in Haiti, donating critical funds through its partnership with UNICEF.
The Gibson Foundation provides financial and/or product support to over 100 non-profit organizations annually, with its primary focus on disadvantaged children. While the Gibson Foundation supports charitable organizations throughout the United States, its influence can be felt around the world. One of the unique aspects of this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is that every penny donated to the Gibson Foundation (from sources outside of Gibson) goes to support programs. All administrative and fundraising expenses are covered by Gibson Corp.
Some of the world’s greatest philanthropists have also been individuals who remain intriguing to the outside world. In the business world, leaders like Juszkiewicz who have extraordinary vision and skill have also been some of the most controversial business leaders. Sometimes unorthodox in his management style, the man has never been short on innovation. Technology not only plays a role in his manufacturing but in his daily life in reaching communities and other leaders in a quest to continue the Gibson Foundation’s worldwide support. Along with a ruthless pursuit towards market success often comes criticism. The exceedingly intelligent leader of the world’s greatest musical instrument manufacturer is not without his critics. Those critics have referenced him in the past as eccentric or even misunderstood. In an almost paradoxical way, Juszkiewicz looks at these critics with little concern. He chooses to focus on a legacy he would prefer to leave behind…that being how this great American Icon he chose to save in 1986 with his partner Dave Berryman, will leave the world a much better place than when he entered it. Giving back is not just a footnote in the company’s history, it will remain a powerful force led by a leader who, somewhat quietly yet aggressively, is out to change the world in more ways than one.