Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Community Partnership Grants program. If you have additional questions, please contact the Grants Department: grants@jazzandheritage.org

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Where can I find the grant application?

The grant applications, along with all grant updates, can be found at www.communitypartnershipgrants.org. The direct link to the grant portal site is: https://jazzandheritage.gosmart.org/

Who is eligible for funding?

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation awards grants to individuals, Louisiana nonprofits, and organizations certified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that provide programs and services in Louisiana.

The Foundation supports organizations that do not discriminate in their delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Is my LLC or for-profit business eligible for grant funding?

For-profit entities are not eligible for the Community Partnership Grants program. Additionally, for-profit entities may not serve as fiscal agents for Community Partnership Grant recipients.

What grant opportunities are available?

The Foundation is pleased to offer grants in five categories: Education In-School, Education After-School, Jazz & Heritage Presenting, Louisiana Cultural Equity Arts & Creation, and Media: Documentation + Creation. Each category has a different purpose. Please review the grant guidelines for each category prior to submitting a proposal. We encourage you to contact the Foundation staff with questions or to discuss the specifics of your project before completing an application.

Can my nonprofit organization apply even if we’re not a 501(c)(3)?

Organizations that are incorporated in Louisiana but do not yet have their 501(c)(3) status can apply and if awarded,
must use a fiscal agent to manage the awarded grant funds.

Do I need a fiscal agent?

This is up to the organization. An organization must have its IRS 501(c)(3) official designation and/or be incorporated in Louisiana. An organization without the appropriate legal structure is not eligible for funding unless applying with a fiscal agent.

Individuals are not permitted to use fiscal agents.

Can I/my organization apply to multiple grant programs in a grant cycle?

Applicants may submit no more than one application – and in only one of our five grant categories – per grant cycle.

Are individual artists eligible for Community Partnership Grants?

Yes. There is one category in which applicants can apply: The Louisiana Cultural Equity Arts & Creation grant is open to all individuals.

Do the Community Partnership Grants support in-school and after-school programming?

Yes. The Foundation has two Education grant categories: Education In-School and Education After-School.

The Education In-School category supports music and art education programs of Louisiana K12 schools that take place on the applying school’s premises during the school day and after school. Louisiana K-12 public, private, Catholic and parochial schools. The purpose of this grant category is to support Louisiana K-12 schools that offer music and art education programs on school premises during regular school hours, after-school during the regular school year.

The Education After-School category 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. Only nonprofit organizations in Louisiana may apply.

NOTE: Only one application per school or organization will be considered. Applications from schools must be accompanied by a letter (on the school’s letterhead) signed by the school’s principal, chief administrative officer or board chair, approving the grant application. Music and art teachers should check with their colleagues and principals before submitting an application to make sure that no one else in the school is submitting one.

My organization has multiple sites or branches. Can I submit an application for each site?

An organization can submit a single application per grant cycle to the grant category for which it is eligible, regardless of its size or number of sites. Applications must be submitted by the parent organization and with the authorization of its executive director/CEO.

Are matching funds required for the Community Partnership Grants?

No! The Foundation does require a match for grants. We do encourage grantees to leverage our funding whenever possible to secure additional dollars. In addition, if the proposed project has a matching/challenge opportunity from another funder, please include this information in your application for consideration.

Are there activities this grant does not fund?

Each grant category has different criteria so please review the guidelines of the category you are applying in. Overall, Community Partnership Grants are not awarded for the following purposes or activities:

• Debt
• Endowment
• Fundraising events or Sponsorships
• Reimbursement for activities that occurred prior to the grant award date
• Influencing legislation and/or elections (within the meaning of section 4945(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code); except as that activity may be related to the purpose of the grant, and permitted for 501(c)(3) organizations by applicable law or Internal Revenue Service regulations.
• Activities outside the state of Louisiana
• Grants by the applicant to other organizations for programming activities (“re-granting”)
• Activities intended primarily for fundraising purposes
• Accumulated deficits or debt retirement
• Contingency funds
• Projects used for academic degrees
• Tuition for academic study
• Payment of administrative staff other than instructors
• Operational costs
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• Fines, penalties, interest on loans or costs of litigation
• More….

How do I check on the status of my request?

Please confirm that you have submitted your grant request through the Foundation’s grant portal: https://jazzandheritage.gosmart.org/. After submitting an application you will receive an automatic receipt – please retain this receipt for your records. If you received a grant in the 2023-2024 grant cycle, you can also access that submission via the Foundation’s grant portal.  Please contact our Grants Department at grants@jazzandheritage.org.

The grant review period ranges from 3-4 weeks, per the award dates listed in the grant guidelines. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by email. Please allow time for our review and decision-making process. If you have any questions please contact the member of the Grants Department at grants@jazzandheritage.org.

What are the reporting requirements if I receive/ my organization receives a grant?

This grant cycle, final report forms will be made available through the grant portal. Please refer to the award letter for reporting requirements. Failure to fulfill reporting requirements will result in the delay of subsequent grant funding.  Past final report forms (2020-2023) are available at www.communitypartnershipgrants.org.

If unique circumstances exist, the grantee will immediately consult with the Grants Department to request an extension or alternative option for fulfilling the reporting requirement before the reporting deadline.

If successful, how would the Foundation like us to acknowledge the grant?

As a supporter of your efforts, the Foundation requires acknowledgment in any communication materials related to the grant activity. Please refer to your award letter containing more information. If you choose to use the Jazz & Heritage Foundation logo on any printed or online material, please refer to our Promotion Guidelines and Brand Guidelines pages.

How do I learn about past grants awarded by the Foundation?

Lists of community partnership grants awarded in the past two years can be obtained by following this link. For listings three years or older, please contact the Grants Department.

What other programs and services does the Foundation offer?

The Foundation is committed to building and supporting a thriving arts community throughout Louisiana. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation staff is responsible for managing several programs. These include other four free community festivals, multiple year-round concert series, educational programs, lectures, and literary events, gallery exhibits, music business workshops, and more. The Foundation also is the owner of radio station WWOZ 90.7FM, the Jazz & Heritage Archive, and the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. 

I’d prefer to talk to someone on the phone. Can someone call me?

Yes! We are happy to talk over the phone and guide you through any steps that need clarification. We are in the office Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm and available to answer your questions. Please call 504-558-6100 for assistance. Due to the large volume of applicants, it may take staff a longer time to get back in touch with you if you call on the deadline date.