Our work
The Elisa Gastellum Memorial Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to keeping the memory of Elisa Gastellum alive by enriching the lives of young people through youth and family ministry, college scholarships, and mariachi music education.
A note from Bobby and Terri
Our foundation was established in late 2006. We are proud to say that all of the funds raised through our events have come from family, friends, and local businesses. In comparison to most foundations, we are small, but we have a BIG heart of supporters!
Our dream is to continue growing in order to reach out to schools who have mariachi programs, to help strengthen their curriculum with music materials and quality instruments. Many schools have a very small budget, or no budget at all, and our goal is to make a difference in mariachi education in the fine arts, beginning in Arizona and expanding to other states.
Losing our beautiful daughter has been very painful, but we must continue our journey. The foundation has given us a purpose and we have received healing through the outpouring of love and support from so many wonderful people. “It is in giving that one receives.”
Thank you and God bless you and your families.
Bobby and Terri Gastellum
Scholarships
College and music scholarships for students in mariachi programs in Tucson and Las Vegas, and at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. The foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships. See the scholarship programs or meet the recipients.
Curriculum grants
In 2018, the board voted to support school programs that struggle to meet their students’ needs. Grants now support school music and fine arts programs, from mariachi to folklórico. Grants have gone to schools including:
- , 2018. Las Vegas · teachers Xavier and Samantha Gastellum
- , 2018. Tucson · teacher Roberto Martinez
- Cholla High School, 2019. Tucson · teacher Ruben Loya
- Tucson High School, 2019. Tucson · teacher Justin Enriquez
- , 2019. El Paso, Texas · teacher Claudia Rascon
- , 2019. Tucson · Elisa’s elementary school · teachers Margarita Morado and Skyler Shenk
- , 2022. Las Vegas (Clark County School District) · teacher Martha Ramos
- , 2026. Las Vegas · teacher Jacque Guzman
The Rancho High School folklórico class, and its director Jacque Guzman, at the 2026 grant presentation. - Tucson High School Mariachi, 2026. Tucson · teacher Justin Enriquez
Faith and community
Life Teen Ministry
The foundation supports Life Teen ministry groups. As a guest speaker, Terri introduces Elisa through a short video and shares the memoir she wrote about her daughter, Life is Short, but Eternity is Forever. The talk is meant to help young people reflect on their own lives: each of them is unique and born with a special purpose to make this world a better place.
A set of books is left with the teacher or director to use with the group of teens.
Footprints Forever on Our Hearts
Terri began this support group in 2009 with the blessing of Bishop Gerald Kicanas of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson. For seven years the group met monthly, and Terri led it with scripture, prayer, and sharing, reaching out to families after the loss of a child.
For the Christmas season, a special date was set aside for a Mass celebrated for the beloved deceased children, and a potluck followed the Mass. Another annual event was a 5K Memorial Walk, where families gathered to walk in memory of their children. This group no longer meets.