FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS

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Cite this

Plain text FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2022–2025. https://furp.org/org/free-guitars-4-kids-843584931. Retrieved 2026-11-06.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2022–2025]. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/free-guitars-4-kids-843584931

MLA “FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS.” furp.org, tax years 2022–2025, https://furp.org/org/free-guitars-4-kids-843584931. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-11-06; covers tax years 2022–2025. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $713K · expenses $709K · assets $167K

EIN
84-3584931
Address
3030 FRANCE AVE S, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55416-2783
Website
www.fg4k.org
NTEE code
A68 Music (Arts, Culture and Humanities) published (IRS Business Master File)
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
June 2020 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
Principal officer
TERRANCE G ESAU (its 2021 Form 990-N)
Form 990-N e-postcards
1 filed, 2021 (organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less file this instead of a full Form 990) IRS data ↗
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

FG4K provides free guitars to students who might otherwise be unable to experience the joy and tangible benefits that owning a musical instrument provides.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

3 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Ben Dudley Executive Director2023-2025 $129,027$241,225 1
Terrence Esau Secretary2022-2025 $25,000$25,000 1
Benjamin Dudley (former) Executive Director2022 $69,200$69,200 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

5 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Damon Danielson Board Chair2022-2025 5 $0 reported 1
Thomas Rose Board Member2024-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Matt Houchin Treasurer2025 2 $0 reported 1
J Neal Ferry (former) Treasurer2022-2024 3 $0 reported 1
Neal Joseph (former) Board Member2022-2023 1 $0 reported 1

People by year

2025 · 5 people listed · 2 paid, $154K · 1 employee · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Ben Dudley Executive Director40 $129,027$0$0 $129,0271
Terrence Esau Secretary5 $25,000$0$0 $25,0001
Matt Houchin Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Damon Danielson Board Chair5 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Rose Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
2024 · 5 people listed · none paid · 1 employee · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Terrence Esau Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
Ben Dudley Executive Director40 $0$0$0 $01
J Neal Ferry Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Damon Danielson Board Chair3 $0$0$0 $01
Thomas Rose Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $112K · 1 employee · 400 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Ben Dudley Executive Director40 $112,198$0$0 $112,1981
Terrence Esau Board Chair2 $0$0$0 $01
J Neal Ferry Board Member3 $0$0$0 $01
Neal Joseph Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Damon Danielson Secretary Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $69K · 1 employee · 400 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Benjamin Dudley Executive Director40 $69,200$0$0 $69,2001
Terrence Esau Board Chair1 $0$0$0 $01
J Neal Ferry Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Neal Joseph Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Damon Danielson Secretary / Treasurer1 $0$0$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$712,597$708,883 $166,708$156,553 $712,585$0 $129,02710
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$566,459$555,556 $163,012$151,675 $453,761$112,692 $115,55910
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$369,229$290,418 $133,568$136,671 $277,785$47,600 $112,1991400
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · amended · view filing · original 990 ↗
$204,066$147,884 $54,375$57,860 $154,046$50,020 $65,1181400
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · superseded · view filing · original 990 ↗
$204,066$147,884 $54,375$57,860 $154,046$50,020 $65,1181400

Funders of this organization

9 grantors reported grants to this organization, $1,024,149 in all, tax years 2022 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2022-2024 3$370,150 2024$152,150
show
GIBSON GIVES Private foundation Exact 2023-2025 4$216,141 2025$59,606
show
SAGA FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS” 2022-2024 3$200,000 2024$100,000
show
MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL IMPACT FUNDING TRUST INC DAF sponsor Exact 2022-2024 3$150,000 2024$50,000
show
CHRISTIAN MISSION CONCERNS Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS” 2022-2023 2$35,000 2023$10,000
show
DELUXE CORPORATION FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS” 2025 1$25,000 2025$25,000
show
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2023 1$21,000 2023$21,000
show
VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Public charity Exact 2024 1$6,819 2024$6,819
show
AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “FREE GUITARS 4 KIDS” 2022-2023 2$39 2023$33
show

Nearby + Similar BETA

Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to

Same category: NTEE code and revenue

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
LAKES AREA MUSIC FESTIVALMNA68 $1,311,089$1,328,212 EXECUTIVE DI$92,260 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
29 11 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGEMNA68 $375,488$389,019 Executive Artistic Director/Co-Founder$46,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
ANGELICA CANTANTI YOUTH CHOIRSMNA68 $610,352$559,397 Executive Director$77,696 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORSMNA68 $380,452$388,493 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$103,515 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVALMNA68 $427,392$475,352 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUMMNA68 $850,749$1,572,810 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$150,060 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state
GUITARS IN THE CLASSROOMCAA68 $682,637$917,319 Executive Dir.$106,600 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
KIDS EMPOWERED BY YOUR SUPPORT INCCTA68 $893,625$1,067,317 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$144,313 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
CLEVELAND CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETYOHA68 $506,030$593,215 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$91,688 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
CLASSICS FOR KIDS INCCAA68 $624,909$530,453 Executive Dir.$89,338 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
BLACK FRET SONIC GUILDTXA68 $1,314,308$1,538,318 BOARD CHAIR & PRESIDENT$108,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
GUITAR FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INCCAA68 $462,510$439,303 President$19,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
CHORISTERS GUILDTXA68 $736,751$1,111,204 Executive Dir.$107,500 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
GUARNERI HALL NFPILA68 $432,468$352,794 President$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
NEWPORT STRING PROJECTRIA68 $481,541$368,007 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
MUSIC CONSERVATORY OF SANDPOINT INCIDA68 $710,450$644,313 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$25,821 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
MICHIGAN SCHOOL BAND & ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INCMIA68 $1,349,948$1,348,557 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$106,491 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
ONE FESTWIA68 $821,191$761,325 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
FRIENDS OF THE@ORCHESTRACOA68 $374,591$434,280 Executive Dir.$29,345 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
PLAY IT FORWARDORA68 $840,278$869,364 Executive Dir.$44,071 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
FRIENDS OF MUSIQUE & VIN AU CLOS VOUGEOT INCNYA68 $607,466$510,536 BOARD MEMBER$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
VOLTA MUSIC FOUNDATION INCFLA68 $774,754$597,253 EXECUTIVE DI$96,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
YOUNG MUSICIANS FOUNDATIONCAA68 $1,061,461$1,110,745 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$118,850 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
QUAD-CITY MUSIC GUILDILA68 $370,973$338,580 Director$0 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x
GREAT WATERS MUSIC FESTIVAL INCNHA68 $940,655$1,025,324 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$86,000 Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND funds this one DAF sponsor$3,724,777146 422016–2024 A FAR CRY INC; BLACK FRET SONIC GUILD; CHAMBER MUSIC SAN FRANCISCO; GREAT WATERS MUSIC FESTIVAL INC and 38 more
ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION Private foundation$3,251,94310 32016–2024 GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL INC; INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE FOUNDATION INC; A FAR CRY INC
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$2,375,631114 392014–2024 KIDS EMPOWERED BY YOUR SUPPORT INC; APPLETON COMMUNITY MUSIC INC; GREAT LAKES CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL OPERATING CORPORATION; CHAMBER MUSIC SAN FRANCISCO and 35 more
THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,995,28710 32016–2024 GUITARS IN THE CLASSROOM; YOUTH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA; CLASSICS FOR KIDS INC
The Bay and Paul Foundations Inc Private foundation$1,740,0005 12020–2023 GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL INC
MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION Private foundation$1,617,0009 12019–2024 AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM
BNY MELLON CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$1,509,50015 42017–2024 BLACK FRET SONIC GUILD; MUSIC HELPS; ROME CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT VILLA AURELIA INC; KIDS EMPOWERED BY YOUR SUPPORT INC
PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND DAF sponsor$1,461,73220 82019–2024 FRIENDS OF MUSIQUE & VIN AU CLOS VOUGEOT INC; AMERICAN CELLO INSTITUTE INCORPORATED; GASPARILLA MUSIC FOUNDATION INC; VOICES OF MUSIC INC and 4 more
JEROME FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$1,430,50012 22010–2025 AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM; INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE FOUNDATION INC
LILLY ENDOWMENT INC Private foundation$1,300,0002 12022–2023 CHORISTERS GUILD
THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,167,6009 12015–2024 CLEVELAND CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$922,55169 262019–2025 BLACK FRET SONIC GUILD; THE BATTALION DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS INC; CHORISTERS GUILD; EARLY MUSIC GUILD OF SEATTLE and 22 more
GREATER CINCINNATI FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$880,4995 12020–2024 AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM
PLANGERE FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$825,0007 12018–2025 ASBURY PARK MUSIC FOUNDATION INC
DOOR COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$808,30413 22014–2024 MIDSUMMERS MUSIC LTD; BIRCH CREEK MUSIC PERFORMANCE CENTER INC

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2025 · Form 990 · $708,883 spent · pay $225,910 · grants $0 · events $4,337
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)Guitar giveaways $333,761$333,761$0$0 47.1%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $129,027$95,221$16,903$16,903 18.2%
Other salaries and wages $65,627$59,564$6,063$0 9.3%
Travel $49,585$45,978$159$3,448 7.0%
Advertising and promotion $38,716$37,425$0$1,291 5.5%
Fees: management $35,075$24,167$5,408$5,500 4.9%
Payroll taxes $15,894$13,803$977$1,114 2.2%
Other employee benefits $15,362$12,360$1,466$1,536 2.2%
Office expenses $9,548$986$8,376$186 1.3%
Fees: accounting $9,210$0$9,210$0 1.3%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $4,337$220$1,997$2,120 0.6%
Insurance $2,741$0$2,741$0 0.4%
Total$708,883100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $555,556 spent · pay $203,869 · grants $0 · events $7,338
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)Guitar Giveaways $250,409$250,409$0$0 45.1%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $115,559$28,890$5,778$80,892 20.8%
Other salaries and wages $61,075$15,269$3,054$42,753 11.0%
Travel $48,708$14,963$1,657$32,088 8.8%
Payroll taxes $22,435$5,609$1,122$15,704 4.0%
Fees: management $18,461$4,680$8,781$5,000 3.3%
Advertising and promotion $9,393$0$168$9,225 1.7%
Office expenses $7,590$659$6,697$233 1.4%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $7,338$2,883$401$4,055 1.3%
Other employee benefits $4,800$1,200$240$3,360 0.9%
Fees: accounting $4,600$0$4,600$0 0.8%
Information technology $3,198$0$3,041$157 0.6%
Insurance $1,990$0$1,990$0 0.4%
Total$555,556100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $290,418 spent · pay $121,873 · grants $5,000 · events $3,979
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)Free Guitar Program Expenses $118,098$115,303$1,380$1,415 40.7%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $112,199$28,050$5,610$78,539 38.6%
Travel $11,571$0$361$11,210 4.0%
Payroll taxes $9,674$2,418$484$6,772 3.3%
Advertising and promotion $6,996$5,463$0$1,533 2.4%
Fees: professional fundraisers $5,713--$5,713 2.0%
Benefits paid to members $5,600$5,600-- 1.9%
Grants to US organizations and governments $5,000$5,000-- 1.7%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $3,979$0$78$3,901 1.4%
Office expenses $3,432$0$3,432$0 1.2%
Fees: management $3,225$0$0$3,225 1.1%
Insurance $3,092$0$3,092$0 1.1%
Information technology $1,564$0$1,564$0 0.5%
Fees: accounting $180$0$180$0 0.1%
Fees: legal $95$0$95$0 0.0%
Total$290,418100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $147,884 spent · pay $70,283 · grants $0 · events $6,554
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $65,118$45,583$6,511$13,024 44.0%
Fees: management $31,007$11,450$19,557- 21.0%
Other (as described)Guitars, picks, cases $20,861$20,861-- 14.1%
Office expenses $10,858$1,192$9,666- 7.3%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $6,554--$6,554 4.4%
Payroll taxes $5,165$3,616$516$1,033 3.5%
Travel $3,663$1,831-$1,832 2.5%
Advertising and promotion $2,106-$2,106- 1.4%
Insurance $1,531-$1,531- 1.0%
Information technology $1,021-$1,021- 0.7%
Total$147,884100%

View the filing

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