The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF), a nonprofit organization focused on granting instruments to music education and music therapy organizations, has had a busy Q1 and Q2 of 2022, expanding its growing list of grantees to a number of education and outreach initiatives.
Reviewing a sampling of 2022’s GCMF grantees to date shows not only the growing scope of the organization’s efforts, but the creativity and thoughtfulness of outreach and advocacy programs, helping to provide opportunities to today’s youth, adults in need and other underserved communities. Myka Miller, Guitar Center Music Foundation Executive Director, notes, “During the first half of this year, we assisted over 70 organizations, putting us on track to double last year’s numbers. To date this year, GCMF has awarded over $200K in grants, impacting more than 10,000 young musicians. Through instrument grants and donations, our goal is to ensure schools and music education programs get the resources they need to keep music alive and accessible.”
Jazz Hands for Autism was also provided with a GCMF grant, equipping their students with new guitars, basses, and recording equipment. This talent advocacy group has supported over 200 musicians on the Autism spectrum. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Jazz Hands for Autism’s students are excelling in their music lessons. Many students are also finding success as performers, writers, and recording artists.
Casa Youth Shelter (above), based out of Los Alamitos, CA, offers temporary emergency shelter for homeless, runaway, and abandoned youth ages 12-17. It serves and nurtures youth in crisis with shelter, counseling and support services, empowering them to come through their crisis with increased confidence, stability and tools for continued growth. The organization provides residents with music classes, for which GCMF donated several guitars and ukuleles.
Marbridge Foundation (below), based in Manchaca, TX, is a 200+ acre residential community that houses more than 273 adults with a wide range of cognitive disabilities. Their training and education program has a variety of classes, including drum therapy, band, painting, and more. GCMF provided an assortment of percussion instruments for these courses.
Miller concludes, “When we connect with and listen to the needs of our communities, we broaden our impact and can share the power of music with all.”
To learn more, visit GuitarCenterFoundation.org, or follow @GiveMusicLife on Twitter for more news or to discover ways to support The Guitar Center Music Foundation.
