August 31, 2025 I Philanthropy
Guitar Center Music Foundation Expands Efforts
One of two sold-out Behind the Lyrics shows at The Listening Room in Nashville, Tennessee, in June.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting music education and therapy programs through instrument donations, has expanded its outreach in the first half of 2025. With a mission to ensure access to music regardless of financial or geographic barriers, GCMF has continued to empower schools, community centers and therapy programs across the U.S.
Early this year, GCMF led a coordinated industry response to the Southern California wildfires, partnering with companies, including Sony Music Group, Music & Arts, Gibson, Sennheiser, Universal Audio, Ibanez, Martin and many others. Together, they provided needed instruments, funding and support to more than 600 musicians and 15 community-based orgs and schools affected across the greater Los Angeles area.
At the 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, GCMF co-sponsored the Ultimate Jam Night in partnership with the David Z Foundation, raising funds for wildfire recovery. T
In honor of Women’s History Month, GCMF supported two events on March 25. The Foundation served as title sponsor for Women :Amplified, a cultural celebration at The Recording Club in Santa Monica, California, and later that day, co-sponsored Women on Record, a panel at Guitar Center’s Hollywood flagship location.
GCMF also appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, presenting $5,000 grants to three programs in need: Urban Youth Harp Ensemble (Atlanta), Jazz Power Initiative (New York) and Greene Central High School (NC). Additional wildfire relief funding included a “Music Matters” grant from Law Rocks and $16,500 raised by the Get Together Foundation’s benefit concert at the Canyon Club.
In June, the Guitar Center Music Foundation partnered with Custom House for two sold-out Behind the Lyrics shows at The Listening Room in Nashville, Tennessee, closing out CMA Fest weekend with a celebration of songwriting and community.
“These are just a few examples of the ways in which GCMF has expanded the scope of our efforts in the first half of 2025,” said Myka Miller, GCMF executive director. “Our ongoing goal is to continue to grow, and we have been fortunate to get lots of help from others in the industry. We thank everyone who has supported our efforts this year, and we look forward to much more activity in the back half of 2025.”
