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Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.2M
Decision Time
6mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $989,313 (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Approximately 5-6 months (LOI to award)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $220,000
  • Average Grant: $31,600
  • Geographic Focus: National (priority on NYC area)

Contact Details

Website: https://louisarmstrongfoundation.org/grants/

Email: support@louisarmstrongfoundation.org (grant inquiries - contact Jenna Purcell, Administrative Coordinator)

Mailing Address: 697 Grand Street, PMB# 892, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Phone: Not publicly listed

Overview

Founded in 1969 by jazz legend Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille, the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation perpetuates the Armstrongs' legacy through supporting jazz education, music programs, and musicians. The foundation holds $13.2 million in assets (FY 2024) and awarded nearly $1 million in grants annually. Funding is generated from the exploitation of Armstrong's intellectual properties, including trademarks for Louis Armstrong™, Satchmo™, and Wonderful World™. Led by President Wynton Marsalis, the foundation focuses on performance training, master classes, workshops, and programs that celebrate Armstrong's music and life. While grantmaking prioritizes jazz education in the New York City area, programs with broad impact across the U.S. that celebrate Armstrong's musical legacy receive strong consideration. The foundation is described by grant experts as "an approachable, transparent and supportive funder."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Music Education Grants: $2,000 - $220,000 (average $31,600)

  • Two-stage application process (LOI followed by full proposal for invited applicants)
  • Grants typically cover up to one year
  • LOI acceptance period: November - January annually
  • Rolling basis for LOI review; fixed deadline for full proposals

Priority Areas

  • Performance Training and Master Classes: Jazz performance education programs
  • K-12 Music Education: Programs fostering music education in schools, including access to instruments and scholarships
  • Higher Education: College and university jazz programs, specialized music schools and academies
  • Community Music Education: Community-based jazz education programs
  • Music Therapy: Programs using music for therapeutic purposes
  • Programs Celebrating Armstrong's Legacy: Initiatives showcasing Louis Armstrong's music, life, and contributions to jazz
  • Programs with Defined Objectives: Projects with clear timetables and broad public benefits

Geographic Priority: More than half of grantees operate in the New York City area. The foundation also funds initiatives in Chicago, New Orleans, and across Florida, Illinois, and Louisiana.

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations: Only registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible
  • Capital Projects: Rarely considered (building construction, renovations, infrastructure)
  • Individuals: No direct grants to individuals
  • For-profit entities: Only nonprofit organizations eligible
  • Long-term Projects Without Evaluation: Multi-year projects usually require re-evaluation for continued funding

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • Wynton Marsalis (President): World-renowned trumpeter and Managing Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center
  • Robin Bell-Stevens (Vice President): Director of Jazzmobile, Inc.
  • David Chevan (Secretary): Professor of Music at Southern Connecticut State University
  • Howard Schain (Treasurer): CPA at Schain Leifer Guralnick CPAs

Board Members

  • Kenneth R. Alleyne, MD: Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Jon Batiste: Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and composer
  • Alvin Carter III
  • Susan Devens: Co-Producer
  • Jackie Harris: Executive Director of LAEF and founder of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp
  • Josh Mayer: Adjunct Professor at Tulane University School of Business
  • Michael Mossman: Director of Jazz Studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College/CUNY
  • Jonathan Raskin, MD FCCP FACVPR: Clinical Professor of Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai
  • Jeffrey Rosenstock: AVP, Governmental Relations & External Affairs, Queens College/CUNY
  • Deborah H. Ross: Executive Director, Joyce & George Wein Foundation

Staff

  • Jackie Harris: Executive Director
  • Jenna Purcell: Administrative Coordinator

Founding Philosophy: "I want to give back some of the goodness I received." ~ Louis Armstrong

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

  • All first-time applicants must submit an LOI
  • Previous grantees who did not receive funding the prior year must also submit an LOI
  • Renewal grantees applying for a different project must submit an LOI
  • Online submissions only through the foundation's website
  • Auto-reply confirmation sent upon submission

Step 2: Full Proposal (by invitation only)

  • Only LOI-approved applicants are invited to submit a New Grant Application (NGA)
  • Detailed application submitted through online portal

Submission Method: Online only via louisarmstrongfoundation.org/grants/

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Acceptance Period: Mid-November through early January
  • LOI Decision Notification: By mid-February
  • Full Proposal Deadline: Mid-April (for invited applicants)
  • Award Notification: By end of June
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 5-6 months from LOI submission to award notification

Reporting Requirements:

  • Final Report due by December 30 (for grants awarded in June)
  • Interim report may be required for ongoing projects

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation awarded 25 grants with an average size of $31,600 in recent reporting periods.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent funding cycles without restriction or waiting period. Applicants must submit a new LOI following the same process as first-time applicants. The foundation does not prohibit immediate reapplication in the next cycle.

Application Success Factors

Priority Program Characteristics:

  • Programs with "defined objectives, timetables and broad public benefits" (from foundation guidance)
  • Projects showcasing Louis Armstrong's music, life, and legacy
  • Jazz education programs including performance training, master classes, workshops, and lectures

Geographic Advantage: While not exclusive, NYC-area programs receive priority consideration, with more than half of grants awarded to New York City organizations.

Funder Examples: Recent and ongoing grantees include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazzmobile, Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center, Columbia University's Armstrong Continuum conference and concert series, University of New Orleans, Queens College, and UCLA (for jazz composition studies).

Application Quality: The foundation is described by grant professionals as "approachable, transparent and supportive," suggesting they are receptive to working with applicants and answering questions during the process.

Avoid: Capital projects are "rarely considered," so applicants seeking building funds should look elsewhere. Long-term projects typically require re-evaluation for continued funding rather than multi-year commitments.

Contact for Questions: Don't hesitate to reach out to Jenna Purcell at support@louisarmstrongfoundation.org with questions about eligibility or application requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two-stage process is mandatory: Plan ahead for the November-January LOI window, with full proposals due in April if invited—this is a 5-6 month timeline from start to award
  • Armstrong legacy connection: Explicitly demonstrate how your program celebrates or incorporates Louis Armstrong's music, life, or contributions to jazz education
  • NYC area advantage: While national funding is available, more than half of grants go to NYC-area organizations; non-NYC applicants should emphasize broad impact
  • Clear objectives matter: Foundation specifically seeks programs with "defined objectives, timetables and broad public benefits"—be concrete and measurable
  • Modest average grants: With an average grant of $31,600, tailor your request to realistic funding levels; the range extends to $220,000 for exceptional projects
  • Approachable funder: Grant experts describe this as a transparent and supportive funder—use the pre-application support email to clarify questions
  • Avoid capital requests: Capital projects are rarely funded; focus on programmatic support for education, performance, workshops, and community engagement

References

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