For some, music may be just a hobby. But for others, music serves as a crucial lifeline – a path to healing, an opportunity to nurture untapped talent, an escape from the grim realities of everyday life, a break from generational trauma, or the start of a social revolution. Thousands of individuals nationwide benefit yearly from the foundation’s grants and other efforts aiding veterans, hospital patients, the unhoused, and those affected by natural disasters, as well as youth in both schools and after-school programs. Learning to play an instrument can have a significant impact on human development. From improving social and academic skills to building confidence, nurturing creativity and relieving stress, the benefits of making music are limitless. Unfortunately, music education is routinely—and mistakenly—undervalued.
Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all other studies, have enhanced critical thinking skills and pursue higher education.
Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate, while schools without have an average rate of 72.9%.
Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut, and student participation has experienced the largest decline of any academic subject.
For some, music may be just a hobby. But for others, music serves as a crucial lifeline – a path to healing, an opportunity to nurture untapped talent, an escape from the grim realities of everyday life, a break from generational trauma, or the start of a social revolution. Thousands of individuals nationwide benefit yearly from the foundation’s grants and other efforts aiding veterans, hospital patients, the unhoused, and those affected by natural disasters, as well as youth in both schools and after-school programs. Learning to play an instrument can have a significant impact on human development. From improving social and academic skills to building confidence, nurturing creativity and relieving stress, the benefits of making music are limitless. Unfortunately, music education is routinely—and mistakenly—undervalued.
Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all other studies, have enhanced critical thinking skills and pursue higher education.
Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate, while schools without have an average rate of 72.9%.
Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut, and student participation has experienced the largest decline of any academic subject.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization dedicated to the healing, transformative power of music. Through instrument grants and donations, we help ensure schools and music education programs get the resources they need to keep music alive and accessible.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization dedicated to the healing, transformative power of music. Through instrument grants and donations, we help ensure schools and music education programs get the resources they need to keep music alive and accessible.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation believes that music participation helps people reach the heights of human potential and is foundational to a healthy society. Founded in 2005, the Foundation has reached over 300,000 people through instrument grants to schools and music therapy programs.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation believes that music participation helps people reach the heights of human potential and is foundational to a healthy society. Founded in 2005, the Foundation has reached over 300,000 people through instrument grants to schools and music therapy programs.
Total revenue raised for music programs in 2024
Music programs supported in 2024
Percent of Round Up donations given back to the community
Expenses in 2024
People impacted through our grants in 2024
States served with instrument grants
Q3 2024 Grantees Announced (con’t)
Band 4 Kids – Mount Airy, NC
Niswonger Children’s Hospital – Johnson City, TN
All In Music Inc. – Rochester, NY
Autism Up – Rochester, NY
Girls Make Beats – Miami, FL
Monroe High School – Northridge, CA
New Orleans Jazz Museum – New Orleans, LA
OmniPeace – Los Angeles, CA
Man Up Club – Minneapolis, MN
Marana High School – Tucson, AZ
Roosevelt High School – Los Angeles, CA
JULY 2024
Q3 2024 Grantees Announced
Youth Trumpet Scholars – Orange County, CA
Veritas Enrichment, Inc. – Kimberling City, MO
Today’s Future Sound – Oakland, CA
Dwavern Tavern – Hamilton, OH
Rosie’s House: A Music Academy – Phoenix, AZ
Rawkstar Youth Development – East Taunton, MA Operation Check Six – Lake Park, MN
Great Falls Middle School – Montague, MA
Circle Haven – Glassboro, NJ
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School – Glendale, CA
JULY 2024
GCMF Partners with USC to Provide Guitars to South Central Youth
Funded by USC’s Arts in Action initiative, Calle a Calle’s Cultural Music Education Program challenges eurocentrism and supports a cultural movement by providing guitar instruction as well as lessons in the political and social context of Corridos Tumbados, a subgenre of Mexican Regional Music that has recently gained global popularity. The program was held at A Place Called Home, a non-profit serving South Central youth and their families. GCMF donated 16 six-string guitars and 2 acoustic electric bass guitars.
MAY 2024
Q2 2024 Grantees Announced (con’t)
In Tune Music, Inc. in Greensboro, NC
Mariachi La Joya from Las Vegas High School
Mariachi Luz de Oro de Berkeley in Berkeley, CA
Mondays at the Union Rescue Mission in Downtown Los Angeles (pictured above)
Musicians in Action in Los Angeles, CA
Newport Elementary in Newport, CA
NolaKeys in New Orleans, LA
NSAI in Nashville, TN
Orange Vista High School in Perris, CA
Riverside High School in Belle, WV
Second Line Arts in New Orleans, LA
Ted Brown Music in Tacoma, WA
Transit Tech High School in Brooklyn, NY
APRIL 2024
Q2 2024 Grantees Announced
Accent Pontiac in Michigan
Bill Caballero Music in San Diego, CA
Brighton High School in Massachusetts
Centennial High School in Urbana, IL
Community Music School in Allentown
Concerts for Causes in Maryland
Corvallis Orchestras in Corvallis, Montana
Daraja Music Initiative in Tanzania
Environmental Charter School in Pittsburgh, PA
Great Heights Academy (pictured above) in Miami, FL
Greenland Band in Greenland, Arkansas
Guitars and Uses in the Classroom in San Diego
Hellen Caro Elementary in Pensacola, FL
Higher Octave Healing in Tempe, AZ
Hilltop Middle School Mariachi in Ilwaco, WA
Horizon Elementary in Madison, Alabama
APRIL 2024
Black History Month at West Oakland Middle School
GCMF was one of the organizations contributing to a large-scale charitable effort in Oakland spearheaded by superstar actor and singer Zendaya. The project began as an effort to rejuvenate the basketball courts and grew in scope to include the neighboring middle school. The school received a $5,000 grant and a brand new curtain for their auditorium which was revealed for this special Black History performance.
FEBRUARY 2024
“I’m living proof of what … music education can do for an adolescent. Before Upbeat, I didn’t know music was my calling or had the confidence to figure out … investing in something that’s going to help polish the next generation’s future … this program is something I want all children to have access to and be able to have that creative outlet.”
– GCMF Grantee Upbeat Academy
 |
September 12, 2024 CAA and Casey Wasserman’s Foundation Team on School Day Drive to Support Teachers, StudentsHOLLYWOOD REPORTERLEARN MORE |
 |
August 24, 2024 Industry Profile: Herb Trawick of Pensado's PlaceMUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE |
 |
August 19, 2024 Purple Rain / Purple Haze Custom-Painted GuitarMUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE |
 |
May 29, 2024 Accent Pontiac Receives Band Instruments DonationsTHE OAKLAND PRESSLEARN MORE |
 |
April 9, 2024 Ernie Isley Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Guitar Center Music FoundationEURWEB.COMLEARN MORE |
 |
April 6, 2024 Ernie Isley Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From Guitar Center Music FoundationBILLBOARDLEARN MORE |
CAA and Casey Wasserman’s Foundation Team on School Day Drive to Support Teachers, Students
HOLLYWOOD REPORTERLEARN MORE
Industry Profile: Herb Trawick of Pensado’s Place
MUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE
Purple Rain / Purple Haze Custom-Painted Guitar
MUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE
Accent Pontiac Receives Band Instruments Donations
THE OAKLAND PRESSLEARN MORE
Ernie Isley Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Guitar Center Music Foundation
EURWEB.COMLEARN MORE
Ernie Isley Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From Guitar Center Music Foundation
BILLBOARDLEARN MORE
MAKE A
DONATION
Our impact is made possible thanks to the generous support of people like you. Donations remain one of the most effective ways for us to expand our efforts.
BECOME A
VOLUNTEER
We welcome volunteers who are passionate about contributing their time and talent to helping secure and expand access to the music community.
SPREAD
THE WORD
Connecting and cultivating a diverse community of difference makers amplifies our ability to reach schools and in-need music education programs.
