The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit organization that owns and oversees the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Established in 1970 alongside the Festival itself, the Foundation has evolved into a multifaceted cultural institution committed to celebrating, supporting, and preserving the unique traditions of Louisiana.
Today, the Foundation operates year-round as a radio station, multimedia platform, grantmaker, presenter, and educator. It produces a range of festivals and public events throughout the year, and is home to WWOZ 90.7 FM, a community-powered radio station with global streaming and video content. The Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music offers free music education to youth, while the Foundation’s Jazz & Heritage Archive is one of the most extensive cultural preservation efforts in the Gulf South. Programs are hosted at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, a dedicated venue for performances, classes, and public gatherings. The Foundation also awards Community Partnership Grants to Louisiana-based artists, educators, and nonprofits, and owns four properties that support its operations and mission delivery.
In 2024, with Blake-Anthony Johnson stepping into the role of CEO, the Foundation began a new chapter focused on thoughtful alignment, operational clarity, and expanded community impact.
The mission of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is to promote, preserve, perpetuate, and encourage the music, culture, and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs, and other cultural, educational, civic, and economic activities.