Jazz & Heritage Presenting

The 2025–2026 Jazz & Heritage Presenting: Festivals and Concerts in Music and Performing Arts Grant is offered by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the music, culture, and heritage of Louisiana communities. Its mission is carried out through various festivals, educational initiatives, and cultural programs. This specific grant opportunity is part of the Foundation's Community Partnership Grants (CPG) program and aims to support cultural performances throughout the state of Louisiana. The purpose of the Jazz & Heritage Presenting grant is to provide financial support for performance fees paid to Louisiana-based musicians and other performing artists. The funding is limited strictly to on-stage performers involved in live public events, including musicians, dancers, and actors. It cannot be used for nonperforming artists, staff, equipment, rentals, administrative costs, or other support services. Events must occur within Louisiana and must take place between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026. The maximum grant award is $7,500, although actual award amounts may vary. Eligibility is restricted to registered Louisiana nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(3) entities. For organizations that are not yet classified as 501(c)(3), a fiscal sponsor that meets eligibility criteria may be used. Commercial businesses, individuals, and nonprofits based outside of Louisiana are not eligible. In addition, organizations whose primary mission is not arts-related, such as municipal governments or social service agencies, are only eligible when partnered with a Louisiana arts nonprofit. Each applicant may submit only one CPG application per cycle, and all prior final reports from earlier grants must be completed by September 1, 2025, to maintain eligibility. The application must be submitted online via the Foundation’s grants portal. Required documentation includes proof of nonprofit status, either through an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or a current Louisiana nonprofit registration. The grant review process involves a panel evaluation based on four scoring criteria: alignment with the Foundation’s mission, artistic or educational merit, community impact, and project feasibility. Conflict of interest policies are strictly enforced throughout the review. Successful applicants will be notified by August 11, 2025. Upon award, grantees must sign a contract, submit a W9 form, and participate in a public grantee event. All materials and promotions related to funded events must credit the Foundation. Following the completion of the project, a detailed final report is required by September 1, 2026. This report must include a completed budget, proof of expenditures, documentation of the event, and evidence of Foundation credit. Failure to submit the report by the deadline disqualifies organizations from future funding. For further inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation's Programs, Marketing, and Communications team via email at [email protected] or by phone at 504-558-6100. Only submissions through the online portal will be accepted.