In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Southern California, Gibson and its philanthropic division Gibson Gives, have joined forces with multiple music brands to help support the recovery of music programs and musicians impacted by the fires, as well as raise immediate funds for relief efforts and humanitarian aid organizations across Los Angeles. Gibson has pledged an initial $250,000 across its nonprofit partners for wildfire relief. Gibson Gives is taking action–independently and in partnership with other brands–to make the largest possible impact. For more details and to donate directly, visit: https://www.gibsonfoundation.org/disaster-relief.
To maximize this effort, Gibson, Gibson Gives, and Guitar Center–the world’s largest retailer of musical instruments–as well as its charitable organization The Guitar Center Music Foundation have enlisted the assistance and support of many prominent manufacturers from the music instrument (MI) industry including AKG, AlphaTheta/Pioneer, Audio-Technica, Eastman, ESP Guitars, Hoshino (Ibanez Guitars/TAMA Drums), JBL Professional, C. F. Martin & Co., Pearl Drums, Remo Inc., Roland, DW, Saga, Schecter Guitar Research, Shure, Sony Music, Universal Audio, Vater Percussion, Yamaha, and Avedis Zildjian Co, in a massive and unprecedented donation relief effort.
For musicians, music professionals, or a nonprofit music program based in the Los Angeles area affected by the fires, the Guitar Center Foundation and Gibson Gives are donating a special one-time grant to replace instruments and gear. Los Angeles musicians who lost their instruments and gear can reach out and apply HERE now through February 28th 2025. Proof of loss or address may be required.
The brands have now partnered with the NAMM Foundation’s L.A. Wildfires Relief Fund as well as the NAMM Show, which is providing two L.A. Wildfire Relief Centers during next week’s 2025 show at the Anaheim Convention Center (January 23-25). These centers inform attendees how they can support the coordinated efforts of this initiative and will be located in Hall C and in ACC North Level 2.
“The recent wildfires have deeply impacted our artists and friends in Los Angeles,” says Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson. “Gibson is committed to donating directly to these incredible organizations and working together with the music community to deliver immediate and impactful aid, and to help communities rebuild.”
Gibson and Gibson Gives, Fire Relief 2025:
1. Community and Shelter Support: Gibson Gives is partnering with local organizations and brands to deliver essential life resources such as food, water, and apparel to all wildfire affected communities. In partnership with Vans, Liquid Death, and more Gibson will provide supplies including Gibson t-shirts, Vans socks, shoes, Liquid Death water and more to help meet immediate needs at shelters around Los Angeles.
2. Assistance to Individual Artists: To support individual artists affected by the disaster, Gibson Gives will contribute a cash donation to MusiCares, helping provide essential necessities and aiding in their stabilization and recovery. MusiCares provides short-term disaster relief, including $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card, to music professionals impacted. MusiCares disaster relief is intended to cover short-term costs, should you incur costs from evacuating (hotel, food, supplies). For more information: https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief.
3. Instrument and Gear Replacement: In collaboration with Guitar Center and the Guitar Center Foundation, Gibson and Gibson Gives will jointly promote and manage instrument replacement requests. Additional music manufacturers contributing to this effort so far include AKG, AlphaTheta/Pioneer, Audio-Technica, Eastman, ESP Guitars, Hoshino (Ibanez Guitars/TAMA Drums), JBL Professional, C. F. Martin & Co., Pearl Drums, Remo Inc., Roland, DW, Saga, Schecter Guitar Research, Shure, Sony Music, Universal Audio, Vater Percussion, Yamaha, and Avedis Zildjian Co. Our priority is to assist professional artists, schools, and nonprofit music programs and organizations that have lost instruments, helping to restore creativity and continuity.
4. Fundraising for First Responders and Community Assistance: We are providing funds raised to support and address broad community needs, ensuring that resources are effectively directed to where they are most needed. For the next two months, Gibson Gives will channel online and onsite donations at our Gibson Garage Nashville flagship store location, and disaster relief donations to the following foundations below:
- The LAFD Foundation provides vital equipment and funds critical programs to help the LAFD save lives and protect communities.
- The SoCal Fire Fund provides immediate and long-term support for community-centered recovery initiatives that aid students, school employees, and families impacted by the January 2025 fires.
- Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund The Pasadena Community Foundation Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund provides flexible support to local nonprofit organizations as they respond to the local Eaton fire.
- The American Red Cross is working 24/7 with partners in Southern California to make sure people have the support they need in the face of the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Lidia Fire, Sunset Fire and Kenneth Fire.
5. School Music Programs: Gibson Gives is supporting Music Rising, a disaster relief fund administered by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation that rebuilds school music programs and replaces student instruments lost in natural disasters.
6. Gibson Employees: Gibson’s GoldTop Foundation assistance is available for all Gibson employees directly affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires: https://www.goldtopfoundation.com/.
6. Animal Relief: As a company of animal lovers, Gibson is supporting a variety of animal shelters and veterinarian clinics alongside Gibson artist, Miranda Lambert through her foundation, MuttNation. The MuttNation–Tractor Supply Relief for Rescues Fund is supporting shelters in the California region impacted by the fire. For more information, visit: https://muttnation.com.
