Gibson offers immediate assistance to LA musicians affected by wildfires

The guitar manufacturer and its charitable arm join forces with music brands & humanitarians to support those affected by the LA wildfires

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.

To maximize this effort, Gibson, Gibson Gives, and Guitar Center, along with its charitable organization The Guitar Center Music Foundation, have enlisted the assistance and support of many prominent manufacturers from the music instrument 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 apply through February 28th. Proof of loss or address may be required.

The brands have partnered with the NAMM Foundation’s L.A. Wildfires Relief Fund and 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.

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. The priority is to assist professional artists, schools, and nonprofit music programs and organizations that have lost instruments, helping to restore creativity and continuity.

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.

To support individual artists affected by the disaster, Gibson Gives will contribute a cash donation to MusiCares, helping provide 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, including hotel, food, and supplies.

Gibson is 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 its Gibson Garage Nashville flagship store location, and disaster relief donations to The LAFD Foundation, The SoCal Fire Fund, Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund The Pasadena Community Foundation Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, and The American Red Cross.

Gibson Gives supports Music Rising, a disaster relief fund administered by Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation that rebuilds school music programs and replaces student instruments lost in natural disasters.

Gibson’s GoldTop Foundation assistance is available for all Gibson employees directly affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires.

As a company of animal lovers, Gibson supports 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 fires.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn