Mahalo
Log in
Los Angeles, CA

FREEDOM BAND FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES

EIN 20-0210118
Arts, Culture & Heritage Performing Arts LGBTQ+ communities
Mission

To bring together the diverse communities of Southern California (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight) through education, rehearsal and performance of music and other performing arts.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible
Claim this page Visit gfbla.org

About FREEDOM BAND FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES

Freedom Band Foundation of Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed to support the instrumental ensembles associated with the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles (also known as the Gay Freedom Band / GFBLA). The foundation provides organizational support for a concert/symphonic ensemble (Hollywood Wind Ensemble), a marching band, a jazz band and related ensembles used for public performances, education, and community outreach. The foundation sponsors performance seasons, community concerts, educational programming and a scholarship fund (James M. Berg Scholarship Fund) to support musicians. The organization maintains an active, donor-facing web presence and has received public arts funding and county/state arts grants in recent years while continuing regular performances at civic events, Pride parades and concert venues in the Los Angeles area.

Notable achievements

Historic national performance

Membership and associated ensembles have performed nationally and internationally and the organization was invited to play for President Bill Clinton's first inauguration, reflecting its national profile and historic role in LGBTQ+ visibility through music.

James M. Berg Scholarship Fund

Established by the foundation board in 2003 to commemorate the band’s history and to invest in the next generation of musicians, the scholarship fund has supported local students and emerging musicians.

Secured public arts funding (recent)

The foundation has received competitive operating and project support from public arts funders in the last 2–3 years, enabling staff stipends, rehearsal and equipment storage, and continued community programming.

At a glance

Total assets
$86K
Annual revenue
$51K
Tax status
501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN
20-0210118
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Website
gfbla.org
On Mahalo since
April 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity (IRS ruling year recorded as 2003) and publicly listed in nonprofit directories.
Awarded competitive grants from the California Arts Council (operating support) and has been named a grantee by Los Angeles County arts funding programs, demonstrating institutional recognition and public-sector support.
Longstanding community presence (originating with the Gay Freedom Band in 1978) and documented history in public cultural programming and reference sources, reflecting sustained impact in Los Angeles arts and LGBTQ+ communities.

Is this your organization?

Claim this page to keep it current — add your logo, publish campaigns, and reach the donors and advisors discovering you on Mahalo.

Claim this page