Performances by:
MACY GRAY
JUDITH HILL
ROBBY KRIEGER from THE DOORS
BRIAN O’NEAL from THE BUSBOYS
EMAIL: INFO@GUITARCENTERFOUNDATION.ORG
OR TEXT: (213) 985-5688 FOR MORE INFO
Performances by:
MACY GRAY
JUDITH HILL
ROBBY KRIEGER from THE DOORS
BRIAN O’NEAL from THE BUSBOYS
EMAIL: INFO@GUITARCENTERFOUNDATION.ORG
OR TEXT: (213) 985-5688 FOR MORE INFO
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.
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. 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. 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.
Raised for music programs through the Round Up Your Change program in 2022
Music programs supported in 2022
Percent of donations given back to the community
Number of donations received through the Round Up Your Change program in 2022
People impacted through our grants in 2022
States served with instrument grants
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.
Raised for music programs through the Round Up Your Change program in 2022
Music programs supported in 2022
Percent of donations given back to the community
Number of donations received through the Round Up Your Change program in 2022
People impacted through our grants in 2022
States served with instrument grants
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with “Música y Merienda”
With the help of parent volunteers, Música y Merienda (Music and a Meal) was born at Atwater Elementary in Los Angeles. It is a live-music event that happens during lunch once a month to support the dual-language curriculum while showcasing musicians performing Spanish-language songs across different genres. GCMF provided a much needed new sound system.
OCTOBER 2022
GCMF Partners with Music & Arts on “Project Imagine”
Project Imagine provides free access to high-quality, diverse commissioned works for middle school and high school schools that would not otherwise have access or be able to afford these compositions. Our first composer, Kelijah Dunton, has completed his work, Color in the Grey.
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY and GCMF Donate $10K to LAUSD Beyond the Bell
For the release of “Learn to Swim,” a film that dives into the world of contemporary jazz with a musical meditation on love and loss, ARRAY donated funds for music education in the surrounding community. GCMF matched their donation to Beyond the Bell, the afterschool branch of LAUSD.
AUGUST 2022
Electric Moon Foundation Brings Music to Alexandria House
We answered the call when EMF reached out about a need for instruments for their summer music camp held at Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children in Los Angeles. At camp, the children learned to play an instrument and write songs culminating with a performance in front of friends and family.
JULY 2022
HeartBound Teaches Music in Georgia Prisons
GCMF has donated many guitars and amps to HeartBound over the years, and we are truly making an impact on inmate’s lives. HeartBound provides a mentor to teach guitar to many juveniles who are serving adult sentences. While the state can lock you up for years, they can’t lock up your creativity. Music makes them more than just an inmate.
JUNE 2022
Students Graduate On-Time with Help of Antioch Speedway
When Antioch Speedway volunteer, Larry Adams, learned that kids from Antioch High School in California might not graduate due to not having enough elective credits, he saw an opportunity to create a class for students to broadcast the racetrack’s events to earn those missing credits. Larry came to GCMF asking for audio-visual gear to help, and we were thrilled to assist.
MAY 2022
“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
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February 22, 2023 Guitar Center Music Foundation Expands Philanthropic EffortsMUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE |
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October 27, 2022 Music foundations replace instruments Marrero Middle School band lost during Hurricane IdaGAMBITLEARN MORE |
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September 2, 2022 Guitar Center Music Foundation Education and Outreach in 2022MUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE |
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September 2, 2022 Guitar Center Music Foundation Continuing Support Of Education & OutreachPRO SOUND WEBLEARN MORE |
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September 2, 2022 Guitar Center Music Foundation Helps 70 Organizations in Q1, Q2MUSIC INC MAGLEARN MORE |
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August 22, 2022 Virginia All Star Band performs on 'Good Morning America,' gets special surprise at the end13 NEWS NOWLEARN MORE |
Guitar Center Music Foundation Expands Philanthropic Efforts
MUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE
Music foundations replace instruments Marrero Middle School band lost during Hurricane Ida
GAMBITLEARN MORE
Guitar Center Music Foundation Continuing Support Of Education & Outreach
PRO SOUND WEB LEARN MORE
Guitar Center Music Foundation Helps 70 Organizations in Q1, Q2
MUSIC INC MAG LEARN MORE
Guitar Center Music Foundation Education and Outreach 2022
MUSIC CONNECTIONLEARN MORE
Virginia All Star Band performs on ‘Good Morning America,’ gets special surprise at the end
13 NEWS NOW LEARN 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.
