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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Inc

EIN 72-0692744 · New Orleans, LA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE, PRESERVE, AND ENCOURAGE THE MUSIC, CULTURE, AND HERITAGE OF COMMUNITIES IN LOUISIANA THROUGH FESTIVALS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.

Income
$61.9 million
Spending
$62.2 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
1,043
Volunteers
1,215
Highest pay
$205,133, executive director (thru 12/2024)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $55.5 million spent. CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND FOUNDATION, INC. HAS SEVERAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CONCERT SERIES HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL CULTURE THROUGH MUSIC, CUISINE, AND ART. THESE CONCERTS AND FESTIVAL ARTIST PERFORMANCES ARE ALSO STREAMED FOR BROADER ACCESSIBILITY. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ATTENDEES AT JAZZ FEST AND OTHER FESTIVAL AND CONCERTS, STREAMING VIEWERS, AND REMAINING PARTICIPANTS IS 520,000. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED SUPPORT TO WWOZ, A RELATED ORGANIZATION WHICH OPERATES A RADIO STATION IN NEW ORLEANS, LA FOR PRODUCTION AND BROADCASTING OF JAZZ PROGRAMMING.
  2. $2.7 million spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND FOUNDATION, INC. HAS SEVERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS BENEFITING LOCAL MUSICIANS AND CULTURE BEARERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THOSE WHICH PROVIDE COMMUNITY GRANTS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS IN MUSIC AND THE ART INDUSTRY OF LOUISIANA. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,055 GRANT PARTICIPANTS.
  3. $1.3 million spent. EDUCATION: THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND FOUNDATION, INC. HAS SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HANDS-ON MUSICAL INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS AGES 8-17. OTHER PROGRAMS ENGAGE ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE ABOUT HISTORY, CULTURE, AND BUSINESS. IN FYE 2025, THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 547 STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARTICIPANTS IN SYMPOSIUMS AND INSTRUCTION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.