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French Quarter Festival Inc

EIN 72-1046163 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE VIEUX CARRE AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS THROUGH HIGH QUALITY SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT SHOWCASE THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF THIS UNIQUE CITY, CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, AND INSTILL INCREASED PRIDE IN THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$6.0 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
10
Volunteers
601
Highest pay
$241,161, president & ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 December 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. $5.0 million spent. FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL IS THE LARGEST SHOWCASE OF LOUISIANA MUSIC IN THE WORLD. THE EVENT, WHICH CELEBRATES NEW ORLEANS' UNIQUE CULTURE, IS HOSTED ANNUALLY IN THE SPRING. THE FESTIVAL'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE VIEUX CARRE AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMICWELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, AND INSTILL AN INCREASED SENSE OF PRIDE IN THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS.
  2. $508,038 spent. SATCHMO SUMMERFEST IS DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND MUSIC OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG. THE FESTIVAL'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE VIEUX CARRE AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, AND INSTILL AN INCREASED SENSE OF PRIDE IN THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS.
  3. $150,043 spent. HOLIDAYS NEW ORLEANS STYLE FEATURES ALL OF THE UNIQUE WAYS NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS INCLUDING FREE HOLIDAY CONCERTS. THE EVENT'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE VIEUX CARRE AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, AND INSTILL AN INCREASED SENSE OF PRIDE IN THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.