Does Guitar Center donate to fundraisers?
Last updated October 7, 2026
Compiled from Guitar Center's published guidelines, other public sources, and user reports. How we research these pages
Sometimes, by email. Guitar Center gives through its Guitar Center Music Foundation, which says that if you want a guitar donated for a raffle or silent auction, you can email the Foundation. Its main program, in-kind instrument grants of $1,000 to $5,000 for school and nonprofit music programs, has paused application review while the Foundation updates the program.
Donation program at a glance
- What they donate
- Item
- Area restrictions
- National
Who can apply
- Requires 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- Does not donate to individuals
- Does not donate to for-profit events
Donation programs change — always confirm on Guitar Center's own page before you apply.
Get the application link plus your full matched list — free.
Donation programs change — always confirm on the company's own page.
For a raffle or silent auction, the Foundation invites groups looking for a donated guitar to email it; the address is on the Foundation's grants page.
The Foundation does not give cash.
Instrument grants are in-kind instruments and gear worth $1,000 to $5,000, based on need, for music instruction programs at 501(c)(3) nonprofits or US public schools.
Application review for instrument grants is paused while the Foundation updates its program; there is no deadline, and it asks applicants to check back for updates.
Qualifying programs teach participants to actively make music, have run for at least a year, and meet at least weekly for eight months a year; camps and workshops are not eligible.
Guitar Center also says it supports community organizations through local grant opportunities.
Tips from the program page: Say plainly that you want one guitar for a raffle or silent auction; that is the request the Foundation names. · Instrument grants are for ongoing music instruction, not one-off events, so a PTA auction should use the guitar-donation route.
What Guitar Center donates
Guitar Center donates item.
Guitar Center has typically donated: in-kind donation.
Who can apply
Guitar Center donates to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Guitar Center does not donate to individuals. Guitar Center does not support events run for profit.
Guitar Center limits donation requests by area: National.
How to apply
Guitar Center asks every request to include the following.
- Raffle or auction guitar: email the Guitar Center Music Foundation.
- Instrument grant (when review resumes): apply online through the Foundation's grants page; organizations can apply and be awarded once a year.
Common questions
Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) to request a donation from Guitar Center?
Yes. Guitar Center's donation program is limited to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, so you will need your determination letter and Tax ID before you apply.
More Entertainment companies that donate
- Hands-on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster — Local
- Helium Comedy Club (Philadelphia, PA) — Admission passes · 4 weeks lead time · Local
- Hershey Gardens — 4-8- weeks lead time · Local
- Indianapolis Colts — Item · 3-6 weeks lead time · Indiana
- Indianapolis Zoo — 3 months lead time · Indiana (Indiana nonprofit organizations)
- Kansas City Chiefs — Item · 6 weeks lead time · Kansas and Missouri