San Diego · Est. 2026

One Guitar.
Every Note
for a Veteran.

Riffs for Heroes is a student-led nonprofit performing live music for veterans, and raising funds at local venues to support our mission — one song at a time. 100% of proceeds are donated to veterans in need.

Support the Mission See Upcoming Shows

Photo at VVSD: Shaking hands with Wilford Smith, a retired Navy Chief, with more than twenty years of military service.

The Mission

Riffs for Heroes honors the selfless service of our nation's veterans through live benefit performances, raising awareness and funds to combat veteran homelessness—with 100% of proceeds supporting those who served our country.

"I saw how many veterans come home from serving this country and still struggle to be seen. Riffs for Heroes is my way of showing up for them — with my guitar." - Arjun Karthik, Founder

What We Do

Two ways to serve those who served

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Live at Veterans Village

Solo electric guitar performances on-site at Veterans Village of San Diego — bringing music, company, and joy to the veterans.

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Fundraising at Local Venues

Riffs for Heroes brings benefit concerts to local venues. 100% of proceeds are donated back to support ongoing initiatives regarding helping veterans. Each show also raises awareness about veteran homelessness and VVSD's mission to house and support our veterans.

Why It Started

A video changed how I saw service.

Watching footage from a Veterans Village of San Diego Stand Down event, I saw veterans who'd given everything for this country still fighting to find stability, housing, and support. That stuck with me — and I wanted to do something real about it with the one thing I had: my guitar.

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