The Community Outreach Ticket program was created to distribute free Jazz Fest tickets via nonprofit organizations. Tickets are provided to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend the festival because of finances or other hardships.

Louisiana-based community groups, high schools, churches, nonprofit agencies and government agencies that provide services to the needy are intended recipients of the tickets.

This program is for Louisiana based nonprofits that provide direct social services, defined as: “Benefits and facilities such as education, food subsidies, health care, and subsidized housing provided by a non-profit organization to improve the life and living conditions of the children, disabled, the elderly, and the poor in the national community.”

To be eligible, an organization must provide these services directly to individuals on a regular, ongoing basis (daily, weekly, monthly). Agencies that provide only occasional services are not eligible. Agencies that provide services only to groups—such as classes—are not eligible.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Community Outreach Tickets program provides entry to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell (Jazz Fest), the Foundation’s main fundraising event. The purpose of Community Outreach Tickets is to provide access to Jazz Fest for those who otherwise could not afford to attend the festival. Only one application per organization.

Community Outreach Tickets must be chosen for either Weekend 1 or Weekend 2 of Jazz Fest. See the full schedule for each weekend here.• The tickets are valid only on the dates printed on the tickets, so be sure to check the tickets carefully.

• If assistance is required for clients with disabilities, call Festival Productions at (504) 410-4100 and ask for the access department.

• Tickets are valid for entry through the main gates.

• All Festival prohibitions must be honored (no chairs, outside food, etc.).

• Community Outreach Tickets may be distributed only to the people who receive an organization’s services and designated chaperons.

• Community Outreach Tickets are not to be used by an organization’s staff, volunteers, donors, board members, contractors or business clients and may not be sold or used for fundraising purposes.

• If an organization violates the intent of the Community Outreach Ticket Program and its guidelines, the violating organization will be barred from receiving Community Outreach Tickets in the future.

For more information and to apply for tickets, visit here.