Letters of Intent will be accepted November 10, 2025 through 11:59PM (EST) January 9, 2026.
Guidelines
Organizational Background/Eligibility
- Organizations must be U.S.- based non-profits to be considered for funding. The majority of LAEF grantees are 501c3 organizations, but fiscally-sponsored organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Eligible organizations can prove that they have been in operation and providing services for at least 3+ years
Project Quality & Focus
- Narrative responses should be clear and concise, and provide important details (who, what, when, where, why, and how) about the project. After reading the application, the Grants Committee should have a clear understanding of what the project is, who it will benefit, and how it will happen.
- Successful applicants must demonstrate a strong connection to Jazz education. Applications should include a clear, specific description of their current connection to Jazz education, or their qualifications and plans to incorporate Jazz education into their project/programming.
- Though not a requirement, LAEF will give special consideration to programs that are named for LAEF or Louis Armstong, spreading awareness of Louis Artmstrong’s life and legacy. However, in order to receive funding, named programs must still strongly align with LAEF’s goals and priorities and receive a high evaluation score.
Beneficiaries
- Priority will be given to educational projects/programming benefitting youth and students (K-12 and college).
Location
- Priority will be given to organizations located and serving communities in U.S. cities where Louis Armstrong lived (New York City, Chicago, and New Orleans). However, U.S.-based organizations located outside of these focus areas, whose programming is otherwise strongly aligned with LAEF’s goals and priorities, will still be considered.
Budget/Feasibility/Sustainability
- For first-time applicants, LAEF cannot financially support more than 60% of a project.
- Project budget should be reasonable, feasible, and reflect the scope of the proposed project.
Community Impact
- Applicants should provide pertinent information about their project’s intended and estimated community impact, including estimated number of individuals served, demographics, and the project’s socio-economic impact.
- Make clear what need(s) your project is addressing, and who is being served.
- Priority will be given to projects clearly serving underserved populations and communities with limited or no access to arts education programming.