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Welcome to the DC branch of Guitars Not Guns. We are an organization that provides free guitar classes, guitars and youth mentorship for students in underserved communities throughout Washington, DC.

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Using music as a catalyst, we encourage creativity and personal development in young people. We provide youth positive alternatives to potentially negative influences, engage their creative potential, and encourage growth and social engagement in communities.

— Guitars not Guns —

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About us

Guitars not Guns provides children and teens eight-weeks of guitar lessons at community centers and schools around the country — and upon passing the final exam, students get to keep their guitars and are invited for a level two course the following semester.

Our goal is to provide music programs for at-risk teens and other deserving children. Through music and the arts, we hope to give youth positive alternatives to potentially negative influences, engage their creative potential, and encourage growth and social engagement in communities.

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The Founders

Guitars Not Guns, Inc. is a California-based non-profit founded by Ray and Louise Nelson, who made a decision to provide foster kids with guitars and lessons when they became foster parents themselves in 1992.

Through the kindness and generosity of friends and strangers, donated guitars were passed along to foster children — and this act of kindness became Ray and Louise’s passion as they grew their charity organization to serve underserved communities across the United States and Canada.

On June 27, 2000, Guitars Not Guns became a federally exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and has since grown significantly to include chapters across the United States and Canada. We are an all-volunteer organization, and our programs are provided at no cost to our students. All donations are tax deductible. (Please visit the national organization’s website at www.GuitarsNotGuns.org)

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Events

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Media

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Donate

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MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION

You can help Guitars Not Guns expand to reach even more deserving children. Any financial contribution (tax-deductible) is very much appreciated and greatly needed. For a donation of $100, we’ll dedicate a beginner guitar to GNG and your name or company name as the donor. Consider the following.

Our program is about helping foster children and at-risk youth in The District of Columbia.

Guitars Not Guns has no paid employees–we’re all volunteers. Virtually every dollar of your donation goes towards running the program – not paying salaries.

The average cost of holding a course for 10 students is about $1,000.

That includes: Eight weeks of class, beginner guitars; student manuals, teacher manuals; tuners, picks, spare strings & music stands; carrying case; graduation party (including diplomas, food, and drinks).

Also, all graduates are invited back for a SECOND course of advanced instruction!

In lieu of PayPal, checks can be made out to Guitars Not Guns DC an sent to: 1917 2nd St NE apt 101 Washington, DC 20002

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Donate a Guitar

Do you have a guitar that is not being used? You can help Guitars Not Guns by donating it to be used in one of our classes. Just fill in the form below, and we’ll email you instructions on how and where to send it.

We can accept only instruments in working condition.

THANK YOU!

Become a Volunteer

Our volunteers are dedicated individuals with a desire to help others. By contributing your time, skills, and knowledge, you can help make a difference in the lives of the youth in our community.

While we need guitar instructors for the classroom, we also need passionate people like you in variety of roles, such as classroom monitors, fundraising committee members, and booth staff, to help make Guitars not Guns successful in its endeavors to give at-risk youth the opportunity to fulfill their potential in life.

Please consider joining us in this remarkable music program. Complete the information below and someone from the group will contact you.

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