We started the Foundation to honor Michael Dean Gibbs, a former resident of Granville, Ohio, who passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) on January 24, 2018.  ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. And, before taking Michael’s life, ALS took his ability to walk, talk, eat, and use his hands. 

Michael loved nature, art, and photography.  He was also an athlete, playing basketball as a child and golf as an adult.  In fact, mere months before ALS took his ability to move, Michael scored a hole-in-one. His family founded the MDG Foundation in 2018 to honor Michael’s memory, his curiosity about everything (he was known as somewhat of a Renaissance Man among his family), and his constant desire to make the world a better place. We hope that, like Michael, all kids will find something that inspires them and that they, in turn, will inspire those around them.

Our Mission

The Michael Dean Gibbs Foundation empowers kids in Ohio to reach their full potential and develop a sense of purpose and belonging in their communities. We do this by providing funding that allows kids to pursue a wide range of extracurricular activities and community projects that improve their communities. We also fund interventions and supports for kids with disabilities and delays as well as for gifted kids.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Stephanie L. Athan

• Adam J. Gibbs

• Mariah L. Gibbs

• Laura Krebehenne

• Liz Cook

• Jennifer Prindle

• Michael Brady