Community Partnership Grant Cycle Announcement 2026-2027

THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OPENING OF 2026-2027 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT CYCLE

Eligible applicants encouraged to apply now through July 8, 2026, at 11:00 pm CT.

NEW ORLEANS (June 8, 2026) – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026-2027 Community Partnership Grant cycle. Since 1979, the Jazz & Heritage Foundation has invested proceeds from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell directly in the community through grant funding for projects that support the Foundation’s mission. More than $20 million has been awarded in Community Partnership Grants since the program began. In 2025, the Foundation historically awarded almost $2 million in funding to over 600 Louisiana artists and non-profit organizations, schools, arts education programs, and presenting organizations. The application submission deadline is Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 11:00 pm CT.

The Community Partnership Grant program reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to bolstering and promoting the longevity of creative economies in New Orleans and across the state. For more information, visit www.communitypartnershipgrants.org.

The Community Partnership Grants program offers grant awards of up to $7,500 to support a diverse range of initiatives. These include music and art education programs, cultural events presented by Louisiana-based nonprofits, new artistic works that interpret Louisiana culture, and other various projects that support the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s mission. The five categories now open are:

• Education In-School: supports music and arts education in schools by funding instruction in Louisiana K-12 schools during the regular school day or after school.

• Education After-School: supports after-school and summer educational arts programs offered by nonprofit organizations. Organizations may apply for money only to pay the professional teaching fees of the artists or educators who provide arts instruction.
  
• Jazz & Heritage Presents provides financial support to nonprofit organizations to facilitate the hiring of Louisiana-based performers for festivals and public cultural events within the state.
  
• Media: Documentation & Creation: supports the creation, documentation, or exhibition of artworks that reflect, interpret, document, or preserve Louisiana’s indigenous culture. Open to nonprofit organizations. Priority will be given to Louisiana-based applicants.
  
• Louisiana Cultural Equity Arts & Creation: supports all individuals engaged in creating, documenting, or exhibiting artwork that reflects, interprets, documents, or preserves Louisiana’s many cultures. 

To review category guidelines and determine eligibility, visit www.communitypartnerships.org. Application assistance is available by emailing grants@jazzandheritage.org or calling 504-302-1804, Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mariah C. Forde, Assistant Director of Marketing
mariah@jazzandheritage.org
504-438-7516

ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation uses proceeds generated by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell and additional funds for year-round programs in education, economic development, and cultural enrichment, including initiatives like the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music, Congo Square Lecture Series, Class Got Brass, youth workshops, grants, music industry workshops, and festivals such as the Crescent City Blues & BBQ, Tremé Creole Gumbo, Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco and Congo Square Rhythms. These free programs aim to support Louisiana’s cultural community and are complemented by assets such as the Jazz & Heritage radio station WWOZ 90.7 FM, the Jazz & Heritage Archive, and the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. For more information, visit www.jazzandheritage.org.