The GNG Mission
We provide guitars and lessons to foster children and at-risk youth in a classroom setting with qualified teachers as an alternative to violence. https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMusicProgram
The Focus of Our Program
Music has the power to heal. We instill a love and appreciation for music that children can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Security
Many of our students are the victims of abuse or neglect. We provide an environment where kids can feel safe, secure, and valued.
Empowerment
Our students walk away from our class with the knowledge they can accomplish challenging goals with some commitment and dedication.
Creativity
Our class helps to fuel the creativity of our students allowing them to express their emotions in a positive and constructive way.
Mentorship
Yes, we teach guitar. But more than that we commit to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of our students.
Facts About Guitars not Guns
Kids Served to date
Chapters in Operation
States with Chapters
Years Serving Our Communities
In the GNG Classroom
How Our Program Works
In the Classroom
Our eight-week guitar course for youth.
CELEBRATING SANTA CRUZ, CA GRADUATING CLASS OF JUNE 2025
Our recent graduating class at Green Acres elementary school! The principal was in attendance, along with lots of parents supporting these great kids.
Special Thanks: Teachers: Delle and Marty who helped Director Matt Cole teach this combined Level 1 & 2 group. “I could not have done it without them”! -Matt Cole
AMERICA’S HEARTLAND GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025-CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Held at the Minooka, IL Village Community Room, Guitars Not Guns Chicago graduated six new students from Level one class this month! Their students were taught and excelled at chords, rhythm, and musical notation. Our graduation ceremony included a live performance of You Really Got Me by The Kinks in front of a live audience.
Special Thanks: This class was made by possible by our instructors, Jake Cortina, Dave Strahanoski, Brian Schoeneck and the incredible generosity of our supporters: The Minooka Women’s Club, Dr. Wood’s Guitar Emporium in Fox River Grove, IL, Neat Guitars in Shorewood, IL, Gigi Cairo, Betsy Pawlicki, Jacob Ziech, Patty Smith Klingberg, Pam Reichenbach, Kaley Koran, Ty Pursell, and Lisa Stallman Loden.
Guitars Not Guns – Sonoma County – Graduation Day – April 2025
Guitars Not Guns- Allen’s Gift, Maryland Chapter | North East, Maryland, A few students of the Graduating Class of May 2025
Special Thank you to: Teacher, Bruce Fite, North East Elementary School, and Donna Hammond
Performance from King County, Washington State Chapter
So many great events and graduation performances taking place! Check out the level 2 students in King County, Washington State performing Hallelujah. Congratulations Students!
Guitars Not Guns – Level 2 Workshop – Petaluma Library 2025
News/Events
Congratulations to all the students for their enthusiastic participation in KIDS MUSIC DAY, & the YAMAHA CARES art project sponsored by Guitars Not Guns!
Students from Neighbors for Kids, Kids Zone in Oregon!
North East Elementary School in Maryland
Cecilton Elementary School in Maryland
Heartbroken for Minneapolis
At Guitars Not Guns, we are deeply saddened by the tragic events in Minneapolis. Our hearts go out to the children and families impacted by this horrific incident. We stand together in support during this difficult time, holding them in our thoughts and prayers.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS of serving Children in our Communities!
Thank you, Ray & Louise Nelson for giving the gift of Guitars Not Guns to so many deserving Children!!! We appreciate you, and honor you today and always!!
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Oregon Guitars Not Guns chapter takes the Yamaha Cares Upcycle Art Program Challenge
On the Central Coast of Oregon, GNG chapter partners with youth teams from Neighbors for Kids, who will create artfull masterpieces using recycled Yamaha guitars as their canvas. Completed projects will be celebrated and final photos will be uploaded to coincide with the Annual Kids Music Day October 3rd 2025.
A big thank you to Yamaha Cares Music Program.
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Maryland Teen Giving Back
Lucas Stelzner is raising funds for Guitars Not Guns-Maryland Chapter of Allen’s Gift of Music
Way to go Lucas! Guitars Not Guns appreciates your talent, and encouragement to kids in need! We honored Lucas today with this very special post! As a thank you for your support and dedication to helping further our mission! “Hello, I’m Lucas Stelzner and I am raising money for an organization called Guitars Not Guns. I will be giving this money to the Maryland Chapter of this organization, called Allen’s Gift of Music. The goal of Guitars Not Guns is to provide guitar lessons to children whose lives are touched by violence in their community. They provide guitars, lessons, teachers, classroom space, and books to kids from across the U.S. and Canada. The reason I chose Guitars Not Guns is because of my own love of music and guitar. I have been playing guitar since I was 5 and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. I really think that learning music can have a huge impact on a kid’s life, changing it for the better in such amazing ways. I know that whenever I am feeling down and not my best, I can turn to my guitar and playing it brings me to a place of joy. I really want to give this experience to other kids, especially kids who have experienced the horror of gun violence in their lives.”
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Memorial Celebration at NAMM honoring our late founder Ray Nelson
25 Year Milestone Award Presented at the 2025 NAMM Show
Our National Board at the Annual NAMM Convention
Founder’s Ray and Louise Nelson, Pictured Louise Nelson and Dan Del Fiorentino of NAMM
National Board left to right: Richard Salazar, Donna Hammond, Barbara Gorin, Louise Nelson and Dan Del Fiorentino of NAMM,
Pictures from NAMM, National Board members pictured along with Chapter Directors from Oregon, Maryland, Contra Costa, CA and Sonoma, CA
Richard Salazar, Donna Hammond, Founder Louise Nelson and Barbara Gorin
California Artist Guitars Supported a Fundraiser
Chapters
Are you interested in volunteering? Check the list below to see if there is a chapter in an area near you. Don’t see a chapter near you and are interested in possibly starting one? Click here to contact us.
California
– Santa Cruz –
Matt Cole-Director:
– Sonoma County –
Stephan Avanozian – Director, stephan.avanozian@guitarsnotguns.org
Scott Harrop – Assistant Director, scott.harrop@guitarsnotguns.org
Susan King – Secretary/Treasurer, susan.king@guitarsnotguns.org
Vernelle Gomez-Boyd – Community Outreach, vernelle.gomez-boyd@guitarsnotguns.org
-Colorado Corporate Office-
Ray & Louise Nelson -Founders: Louise@guitarsnotguns.org
P.O. Box 494, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: 770-861-2442
https://www.facebook.com/GNG-National
-Illinois-
Kendall County
Director – Brian Schoeneck, Brian@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director – Alex Gustafson, Alex.gustafson@guitarsnotguns.org
Secretary/Treasurer- Amanda Schoeneck, Amanda.Schoeneck@guitarsnotguns.org
Maryland
– Allen’s Gift Maryland Chapter –
Director – Donna Hammond
Assistant Director – Nancy Johnstone
Treasurer – Tanya Adams
Marketing – Mindy Whitt
Oregon
– Pacific Northwest –
-Depoe Bay-
Richard Salazar-Director: richard.salazar@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Karen Murray
Secretary/Treasurer: Linda Perez
Washington
– King County –
Tim Wong-Director: tim.wong@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Jack Ballard
Secretary Treasure: Derick Rackhorn
Canada
How You Can Help
Our mission is delivered by our passionate volunteers and generous donors. Get involved in this great organization today.
Make a Contribution
We can’t offer our program without support from people like you who want to help make our communities a little better. Please consider helping by making a contribution.
Our Program Creates
- Empowered Youth
- Enhanced Self Esteem
- Alternatives to Violence
- Make a Donation
Volunteer Your Time
Whether or not you play guitar there is a great spot for you in our program. Simply contact us below to find a chapter near you where you can volunteer.
Volunteers Matter
- Improve Your Community
- Improve Kids’ Lives
- Feel Great
- Volunteer Your Time
No Paid Employees.
All Volunteers.
All the Time.
Guitars not Guns is proud to say that we are a 100% volunteer-based organization. Our mission is driven and delivered by passionate volunteers who understand the importance of music in the lives of under served children in our communities. Because we have no paid staff, more of your contributions go directly to the children.
Donate
Be a True Guitar Hero. Make a Contribution.
You can help Guitars not Guns expand its music programs to reach even more kids in need. Any financial contribution is very much needed and greatly appreciated! Consider the following…
1) Our program is about helping foster children and at-risk youth everywhere.
2) Guitars not Guns has no paid employees–we’re all volunteers. Virtually every dollar of your donation goes toward running the program, not paying salaries.
3) The average cost for holding an eight-week class for 10 students is about $1,000. That includes the following:
- -Beginner guitars
- – Student manuals
- – Teacher manuals
- – Tuners, picks, spare strings, etc.
- – A graduation party including food and drinks for the kids
- – All graduates are invited back for a SECOND course of more advanced instruction (and even a third)!
U.S. Donations
To make an online donation to Guitars Not Guns U.S., click below:
DONATIONS TO CANADIAN CHAPTER
To make a donation to our Canadian chapter, please email president Michelle Diaz via this button. The Canadian chapter is a registered charity with Canada and donations are eligible for tax credits.
In Memory | In Honor
Guitars Not Guns has created this dedicated memorial page to honor the cherished loved ones we have lost and to celebrate the achievements and milestones of those special individuals in our lives.
When you make a donation in their memory, please send an email to; inquiries@guitarsnotguns.org with a copy of our receipt, along with a heartfelt message and a photo of your special someone. We will be honored to display their information on our honors page, ensuring that their legacy is remembered and celebrated within our community. Thank you for joining us in this meaningful tribute.
Thanks to Donors & Sponsors
Guitars Not Guns would like to personally “Thank” our Donors, Sponsors, and Honor those in Memory of donations:
Personal Donations: AARON & SHARON GREGG, ALICIA CACKLEY, AMY FLEMING, ANN THOMPSON/CHRIS HADDIG, ANONYMOUS, BARBARA VASCO, BEHTANY KNIGHT, CAROL & ALAN LACEY, CREMA, DAVE ARCHBALD, DOROTHY JEAN BEARD, GLORIA CONTENT, JAN VALENCIA, JEFFREY RUARK, JIM DOUGLAS, KELLY RANKIN, LEIGH CAGAN, LUCY SQUIRES, MARK NEWEL FAMILY, MATTHEW AND JILL MCCULLOCH, MICHAEL AND EMMA ROCK, MICHAEL FOLEY, NINA RYAN, OLIVIA PANELLA, PATRICIA GOMEZ, PAUL SECREST, RACHEL BARECK, RICHARD HANDEL, ROBERT PHAV, THOMAS MCCUE, TONI MINERVA, VAL STEINBERG, VALERIE HARE, WENDY SPCIALE,
FOUNDATIONS: 100 WOMEN THAT CARE, ACE PRODUCTS, AROMAS/SAN JUAN UNIFIED SCHOOL FOUNDATION, ARTS COUNCIL OF SAN BENITO COUTY, CA, BACKLINE RESOURCES, BANK OF AMERICA, BARR FOUNDATION, BONNAROO, BRIDGE BUILDERS FOUNDATION, CALI ROOTS FOUNDATION, CAMERA CREATIVE MEDIA, CA SPORTS DESIGN, CCC BAR ASSOCIATION, CITY OF NEWNAN, GA, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GRUNDY COUNTY, IL., COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SAN BENITO COUNTY, CA, COMMUNITY FUND FOR FOX VALLEY REGION, COMPASS HOUSING ALLIANCE, CONTRA COSTA LIBRARIES, CA, CSUMB, D’ADDARIO FOUNDATION, DANGEROUS GROOVES RECORDS, DAWNS DREAM, DEAN MARKLEY, DECEMBER CHILDEN, DG BRUNGARD FOUNDATION, DUNLOP PRODUCTS, EASTERN ATLANTIC STATES REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS, EDWARD JONES, EGO PICKS, ENGLISH ALES, ERNIE BALL, FAACE MAGNOLIA, FERTIG FREEDOM FOUNDATION SOUTHWEST KEY PROGRAM, FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY, FIRST NIGHT SANTA CRUZ, FIRST UNITARIAN CHRUCH OF SAN JOSE, CA, FRANCES E. YARBER, FRIENDS OF MARINA LIBRARY, CA, FRIENDS OF PETALUMA LIBRARY, CA, FOSTER.ADOPT RESOURCE CENTER, SAN JOSE, CA, GALANTE WINE, GAP FOUNDATION, GIBSON GUITARS FOUNDATION, GLASSY ART GALLERY, GRANITE CONSTRUCTION, WATSON VILLE, CA, HEBREW CONGREGATIONAL, OAKLAND, CA., HERITAGE UNIVERSAL UNITARIAN CHURCH, HEWLETT PACKARD FOUNDATION, HEY JUDY PRODUCTIONS, HOLZER 25/FNM 150, HOT PICKS, IBM EMPLOYEE GIVING, KMC-MCKESSON CORP MUSIC, KORG, KORG DT TUNERS, KVHS RADIO 90.5, CONCORD, CA, KWANIS, LM STRAPS, MANITON FUND, MARINA ALES, MARINA LIFE CENTER, MARKSTEIN SALES CO., M.C.WEEKLY GIVES, MILLER COMMUNITY CENTER, MILLWRIGHTS LOCAL 219,443,715, MINOOKA WOMENS CLUB, IL., MISSION FISH, MONO CASE, MONTEREY BLUES FESTIVAL, MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART, NELSON B DELAVAN FOUNDATION, NEWNAN, GA POLICE DEPARTMENT, NEWNAN, GA ROTARY, NEWNAN-COWETA JAYCEES, NEWPORT FESTIVALS FOUNDATION, NOONAN FAMILY FOUNDATION, ONA MURPHY TRUST, ONE FAMILY MUSIC FOUNDATION, OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 3,CA., OTHER BROTHER, PAJWELL FOUNDATION, PEACHTREE CITY, GA LIBRARY, PENNGROVE COMMUNITY HUB, CA, PG&E, PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA, OK, PHISH, PICK WORLD, PIKCARD, POPEYES, REEE/EVERETT/GUITARCOLLEGE, RIETMAN GIVING FUND, ROTARY OF HOLLISTER, CA, ROTARY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA, SAMUEL HALES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, SAN BENITO FOUNDATION, SAND CITY WEST END CELEBRATION, SAN JUAN BAUTISTA SERVICE CLUB, SANTA CRUZ GUITARS, SHURE, SIDESPLITTERS COMEDY CLUB, SIGMA ALPHA IOTA, OK., SOUND HEALTH PARTNERS, SPALDING ROOKER TRUST, SPARKLE OF LIFE, STEVEN STILLS GUITAR, TAISHOFF FAMILY FOUNDATION, TARGET, TC MARTIN FAMILY FOUNDATION, TESAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION, THE BONE 107.7, CA., THE BREEDLOVES, TREVOR LUCIENT CONCERT, UMC OF GULF SHORES, UNITARIAN CONGREGATION OF ATLANTA, GA., UNITED WYA, UNIVERSAL MUSIC FOUNDATION, VINNIES BAR AND GRILL, CONCORD, CA., WEAVER ACADEMY, WELLS FARGO BANK, WHITE ALBUM ENSEMBLE, SANTA CRUZ, CA, WISE MUSIC, XOX AUDIO.
IN MEMORY OF: SAMUEL EMMETT BOSMAN, AARON BROWN, ALLEN J. WHITT JR., JAMES LEVELL BROWN, JOEL HUNT, MICHAEL CORINOCORBIN KING, LARRY LEE, MICHAEL LEIDEL, MICHAEL MARLEWSKI, RAY NELSON, CHRIS SIMPON, HELENA STANBRIDGE, MICHAEL TWOMEY, J.WILCOX.
CLASS SITES: BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ATHENS, GA, MOBILE, AL., SANTA CRUZ, CA., JOHN STEINBECK LIBRARY, CA., MARINA LIBRARY, CA., PEACHTREE CITY LIBRARY, GA., PETALUMA COMMUNITY CENTER, CA., NEWNAM POLICE DEPT., GA., SANTA CLARA FOSTER/ADOPT RESOURCE CENTER, CA., SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY, CA., NORTH EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, NORTH EAST, MD., CECILTON ELEMENTARY SHCOOL, CECILTON, MD., ELKNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ELKNECK, MD.
We are Grateful to Our Supporters
Guitars not Guns is so grateful to our supporters! Here is a list of some great organizations that have helped us in our mission to serve foster and at-risk youth throughout the nation.
Financial
2024 990 Extension Filed
Contact
We'd really love to hear from you so why not drop us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
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