Grandparents for Gun Safety
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The primary purpose of Grandparents for Gun Safety is to make the community safer by preventing gun violence by educating GGS members and the community on the impact and risks of gun violence and providing gun locks to secure guns to reduce the risks of gun injuries and deaths. The GGS primary focus is on the more than half of annual gun deaths due to suicide or accidents and that can be reduced by safely securing firearms. The GGS Lock It For Love program promotes gun safety and safe gun storage by distributing free gun locks and educational materials at community events to families that are gun owners. GGS is a mostly all-volunteer nonprofit that purchases and provides free locks to vulnerable communities.
- Income
- $113,465
- Spending
- $107,669
- Reserves
- 13.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 47%
- Highest pay
- $50,204, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $9,897 spent. COMMUNITY FORUM. Grandparents for Gun Safety (GGS) annual community forum brings together national ad local speakers to educate the public and address different aspects of gun violence causes, impacts and strategies to make this community safer from gun violence. At the 12th GGS Community Forum October 13, 2025, a record 400 people heard national and local speakers address the risks of and ways to address gun violence in the community. The program costs include the speaker, venue and miscellaneous expenses, which are covered by mostly individual donations and community organizational sponsors. No grants have been received.
- $10,517 spent. LOCK IT FOR LOVE Program. Grandparents for Gun Safety (GGS) launched Lock It For Love in 2017 to provide an immediate, low-cost mechanism to prevent injuries and deaths from accidental shootings or suicides due to access to unlocked loaded guns in the home. Trained volunteers distributed free gun locks at community events to parents, grandparents or other adults who have children living in or visiting their homes. A police officer is often present at the events to demonstrate how to properly use the lock and answer questions about safe gun storage. In 2025, the GGS Lock It For Love program distributed 1,951 free locks at 58 events across the Kansas City metro area. Program costs include the locks, printed educational materials and some signage. The program is primarily funded through individual donations and grants. Distribution of locks now includes nonprofit health and child-serving organizations and a thrift shop that provide locks to families as-needed. In spring of 2026, GGS marks a milestone with distribution of the 10,000th free gun lock to vulnerable families in the Kansas City area.
- $2,683 spent. MONTHLY MEETINGS Grandparents for Gun Safety presents nine educational meetings each year that are free and open to the public. Meeting speakers, plus board members, provide information on topics such as understanding the 2nd amendment, mental health, domestic violence, federal and state legislation, gun laws in other countries and the cost of gun violence. About 70 attendees each month may also engage in an advocacy activity such as writing personal letters to elected officials (not signed as GGS) or thanking businesses for supporting gun violence prevention (i.e. no gun signs; posts and distribute Suicide Warning signage). GGS also identifies a nonprofit, such as one that helps children of gun violence, each quarter for donations.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.