Since 2010, Kelly Gibson Foundation and its various community partners have awarded 341 scholarships valued at $784,300. The Kelly Gibson Foundation scholarships are given based upon community service, club and extra curricular involvement, KGJGT participation, academics, and financial need. Since 2019, Kelly Gibson Foundation, Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust and other partners of the Swing Hard for Soldiers golf tournament, have awarded $140,000 in scholarships to 60 children of military families.
$924,300 IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
Kelly Gibson is a fifth generation New Orleanian from Algiers, LA. He graduated from De La Salle High School in the Class of 1982 and was inducted into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He attended Lamar University where he became an honorable mention All-American in Golf, graduated with a degree in Speech Communication in 1986, and in 2000 was inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Honor.
KELLY GIBSON FOUNDATION HISTORY
Kelly Gibson Foundation, formerly known as Feed the Relief, was founded by Kelly and Elizabeth Gibson in September of 2005 with the idea of providing necessary support for the front line first responders to Hurricane Katrina. In the days and weeks following the disaster of the storm, Feed the Relief provided support to the Coast Guard, EMS personnel, police and fire departments, community centers, hospitals, and residents as they returned to their homes. In addition to responding to Katrina, Feed the Relief has also supported initiatives benefiting military personnel as they return home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because of Kelly's golf background, we have broadened our focus to include children's programs with an emphasis on enrichment through athletics. Through our efforts, we have seen many lives in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast community change for the better. Kelly Gibson Foundation represents the passions of Kelly Gibson and his late friends Jacques Fontan and Tommy Moore. Read more below.
Jacques J. Fontan
November 11, 1968 - June 28, 2005
Jacques J. Fontan was born Veterans Day, November 11, 1968 in New Orleans, LA. Jacques and Kelly Gibson grew up in Algiers, LA together. They rekindled their high school friendship during their adult years. Jaques trained Kelly on military-grade focus techniques to benefit his game on TOUR up until Jacques passing. Jacques was killed in action while deployed to Afghanistan when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade on June 28, 2005, during Operation Red Wings. Jacques Fontan is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Our Swing Hard for Soldiers golf tournament is produced each November around Veterans Day in memory of the late Chief Jacques J. Fontan.
