Guitars In the Classroom is a 501(c)(3) organization based in San Diego, California, registered in 2007, with $682,637 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it D.
Revenue (FY2024)
$683K
▼ 35.4% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2024)
$917K
Net assets
$380K
Employees
—
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. Not scored for Guitars In the Classroom— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Guitars In the Classroom: 5 mo reserves · -34% margin earns a D on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. Not scored for Guitars In the Classroom— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Guitars In the Classroom: 2 of 5 disclosure signals earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Revenue grew from $205K (FY2014) to $683K (FY2024) across 10 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-34.4%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$398K
Total liabilities
$19K
Net assets
$380K
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $682,637▼35.4% | $917,319▼23.3% | $379,788▼38.2% | $398,426▼35.8% | 990 |
| 2023 | $1,057,247▲0.3% | $1,196,324▲27.7% | $614,470▼18.5% | $620,773▼18.4% | 990 |
| 2022 | $1,053,992▼13.3% | $936,855▲4.6% | $753,547▲18.0% | $760,476▲15.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $1,215,944▲125% | $895,227▲52.1% | $638,694▲90.2% | $656,339▲68.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $540,005▲106% | $588,485▲16.6% | $335,820▼16.1% | $388,563▼10.9% | 990 |
| 2019 | $261,505▼34.7% | $504,768▲1.4% | $400,490▼37.4% | $436,071▼32.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $400,255▲56.5% | $497,774▲56.1% | $639,727▼13.2% | $650,249▼13.4% | 990 |
| 2017 | $255,771▼28.1% | $318,897▼23.4% | $737,246▼7.9% | $750,454▼7.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $355,678▲73.8% | $416,115▲99.8% | $800,372▼58.8% | $812,132▼58.5% | 990 |
| 2014 | $204,638 | $208,225▼30.0% | $1,941,417▲1626% | $1,957,052▲1618% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $297,628 | $112,453 | $113,918 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
16 grants to Guitars In the Classroom totaling $1.6M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2024 | $9,564 |
| The San Diego Foundation | To cover registration and 1-night stay for the it takes all of us workforce summit in los angeles | 2023 | $282,771 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | — | 2023 | $5,072 |
| The San Diego Foundation | General support | 2022 | $544,454 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2022 | $5,771 |
| The San Diego Foundation | For gitc summer strummers clubs | 2021 | $597,261 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2021 | $8,958 |
| The San Diego Foundation | For the san diego strummers with guitars and ukes in the classroom | 2020 | $68,016 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2020 | $11,192 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2019 | $9,164 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2019 | $8,999 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2018 | $8,972 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2017 | $9,938 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2016 | $16,004 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Inc | Funds raised by globalgiving and disbursed to meet donor expectations | 2015 | $18,912 |
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Data for Guitars In the Classroom (EIN 71-1013691) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.