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Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Dudley | Executive Director | 2023-2025 | $129,027 | $241,225 | 1 |
| Terrence Esau | Secretary | 2022-2025 | $25,000 | $25,000 | 1 |
| Benjamin Dudley (former) | Executive Director | 2022 | $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.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damon Danielson | Board Chair | 2022-2025 | 5 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Thomas Rose | Board Member | 2024-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Matt Houchin | Treasurer | 2025 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| J Neal Ferry (former) | Treasurer | 2022-2024 | 3 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Neal Joseph (former) | Board Member | 2022-2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 5 people listed · 2 paid, $154K · 1 employee · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Dudley | Executive Director | 40 | $129,027 | $0 | $0 | $129,027 | 1 |
| Terrence Esau | Secretary | 5 | $25,000 | $0 | $0 | $25,000 | 1 |
| Matt Houchin | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Damon Danielson | Board Chair | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Rose | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 5 people listed · none paid · 1 employee · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrence Esau | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Ben Dudley | Executive Director | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| J Neal Ferry | Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Damon Danielson | Board Chair | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Thomas Rose | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $112K · 1 employee · 400 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Dudley | Executive Director | 40 | $112,198 | $0 | $0 | $112,198 | 1 |
| Terrence Esau | Board Chair | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| J Neal Ferry | Board Member | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Neal Joseph | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Damon Danielson | Secretary Treasurer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $69K · 1 employee · 400 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Dudley | Executive Director | 40 | $69,200 | $0 | $0 | $69,200 | 1 |
| Terrence Esau | Board Chair | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| J Neal Ferry | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Neal Joseph | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Damon Danielson | Secretary / Treasurer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
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.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $712,597 | $708,883 | $166,708 | $156,553 | $712,585 | $0 | $129,027 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $566,459 | $555,556 | $163,012 | $151,675 | $453,761 | $112,692 | $115,559 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $369,229 | $290,418 | $133,568 | $136,671 | $277,785 | $47,600 | $112,199 | 1 | 400 |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $204,066 | $147,884 | $54,375 | $57,860 | $154,046 | $50,020 | $65,118 | 1 | 400 |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $204,066 | $147,884 | $54,375 | $57,860 | $154,046 | $50,020 | $65,118 | 1 | 400 |
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
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAKES AREA MUSIC FESTIVAL | MN | A68 | $1,311,089 | $1,328,212 | EXECUTIVE DI | $92,260 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state |
| 29 11 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE | MN | A68 | $375,488 | $389,019 | Executive Artistic Director/Co-Founder | $46,000 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ANGELICA CANTANTI YOUTH CHOIRS | MN | A68 | $610,352 | $559,397 | Executive Director | $77,696 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state |
| AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS | MN | A68 | $380,452 | $388,493 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $103,515 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL | MN | A68 | $427,392 | $475,352 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state |
| AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM | MN | A68 | $850,749 | $1,572,810 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $150,060 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x, same state |
| GUITARS IN THE CLASSROOM | CA | A68 | $682,637 | $917,319 | Executive Dir. | $106,600 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| KIDS EMPOWERED BY YOUR SUPPORT INC | CT | A68 | $893,625 | $1,067,317 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $144,313 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| CLEVELAND CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY | OH | A68 | $506,030 | $593,215 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $91,688 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| CLASSICS FOR KIDS INC | CA | A68 | $624,909 | $530,453 | Executive Dir. | $89,338 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| BLACK FRET SONIC GUILD | TX | A68 | $1,314,308 | $1,538,318 | BOARD CHAIR & PRESIDENT | $108,000 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| GUITAR FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INC | CA | A68 | $462,510 | $439,303 | President | $19,000 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| CHORISTERS GUILD | TX | A68 | $736,751 | $1,111,204 | Executive Dir. | $107,500 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| GUARNERI HALL NFP | IL | A68 | $432,468 | $352,794 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| NEWPORT STRING PROJECT | RI | A68 | $481,541 | $368,007 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| MUSIC CONSERVATORY OF SANDPOINT INC | ID | A68 | $710,450 | $644,313 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $25,821 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| MICHIGAN SCHOOL BAND & ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC | MI | A68 | $1,349,948 | $1,348,557 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $106,491 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| ONE FEST | WI | A68 | $821,191 | $761,325 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| FRIENDS OF THE@ORCHESTRA | CO | A68 | $374,591 | $434,280 | Executive Dir. | $29,345 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| PLAY IT FORWARD | OR | A68 | $840,278 | $869,364 | Executive Dir. | $44,071 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| FRIENDS OF MUSIQUE & VIN AU CLOS VOUGEOT INC | NY | A68 | $607,466 | $510,536 | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| VOLTA MUSIC FOUNDATION INC | FL | A68 | $774,754 | $597,253 | EXECUTIVE DI | $96,000 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| YOUNG MUSICIANS FOUNDATION | CA | A68 | $1,061,461 | $1,110,745 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $118,850 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| QUAD-CITY MUSIC GUILD | IL | A68 | $370,973 | $338,580 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code A68, revenue within 2x |
| GREAT WATERS MUSIC FESTIVAL INC | NH | A68 | $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).
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
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $708,883 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $555,556 spent · pay $203,869 · grants $0 · events $7,338
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $555,556 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $290,418 spent · pay $121,873 · grants $5,000 · events $3,979
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $290,418 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $147,884 spent · pay $70,283 · grants $0 · events $6,554
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $147,884 | 100% |
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