The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the non-profit organization that owns the Jazz Festival and uses the Festival's proceeds to fund cultural, educational and economic development activities. It was founded in 1970 with a mission to sow the seeds of its unique culture for generations to come. www.jazzandheritage.org

MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need to cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies. To date, MusiCares has raised and disbursed over $3.5 million in financial assistance to over 3,500 musicians from across the Gulf Coast. www.grammy.com/musicares

The Tipitina's Foundation has worked diligently to uplift the music community of New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, the Foundation addressed the immediate needs of exiled musicians. An important aspect of the rebuilding process has involved finding replacement instruments for both professionals and music students alike. So far the foundation has given away over $500,000 of new instruments. www.tipitinasfoundation.org