Boston Jazz Foundation

What Boston Jazz Foundation does

Boston Jazz Foundation (BJF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2022 and headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts, with a stated mission of supporting marginalized jazz artists through performances, education, and professional development. The organization emerged from the Charles River Jazz Festival, which was founded in 2021 by Boston-based saxophonist Seba Molnar in partnership with Friends of Herter Park; the foundation was created to extend that work year-round. BJF is entirely volunteer-run and artist-led, with Co-Chair and Artistic Director Seba Molnar and Co-Chair and Executive Director Moriah Phillips leading the organization alongside a board of roughly ten volunteer officers covering Vice Chair, Treasurer, Marketing Director, Clerk, and program-specific coordinator roles.

The foundation's core product is the annual Charles River Jazz Festival, now in its sixth year (2026), which offers free general admission plus premium VIP ($300) and Patron VIP ($500) tiers. Revenue is generated through a diversified set of streams: VIP ticket upgrades, corporate sponsorships, vendor booth fees ($250 for Maker & Artist vendors, $350 for Small Business vendors, plus a $25 application processing fee), festival merchandise, and tax-deductible individual donations. Beyond the flagship festival, BJF operates an educational initiative (BJF In the Schools with the Next Gen Scholarship in partnership with Hamilton-Garrett Center for Music & Arts), a historical preservation program (Jazz Square, officially recognized by the City of Boston as a historical jazz hub), and the annual Boston Jazz Luminary Award ceremony.

In 2026, the organization moved the Charles River Jazz Festival from Herter Park Amphitheater to the iconic Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade, materially expanding venue capacity and visibility. BJF maintains collaborative partnerships with peer jazz organizations including JazzBoston and the Cambridge Jazz Foundation, with venue partner Wally's Jazz Cafe, and with city-level institutions including the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, Berklee College of Music, and The Boston Foundation. The organization has no proprietary technology products and operates through event-driven, community-based go-to-market centered on the festival and its ancillary programs.

Name

Boston Jazz Foundation

Legal name

Boston Jazz Foundation

Website

https://bostonjazzfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Boston Jazz Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2022 that supports marginalized jazz artists through performances, education, and professional development. It produces the annual Charles River Jazz Festival and runs educational, historical, and community programs serving the Greater Boston area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Nonprofit Programming

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Music & Dance Festivals (Non-Commercial/Local) (MPAGAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

Keywords

• Live music festivals
• Jazz community programming
• Music education scholarships
• Artist development programs
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookline

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting tax-deductible donations from individuals to support jazz programming and artist compensation.
2. VIP and Patron VIP Tickets: Premium ticket tiers offering enhanced festival experience including exclusive lounge access, complimentary drinks, reserved seating, and after-party access.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship program for the Charles River Jazz Festival allowing businesses to support the event in exchange for brand visibility and recognition.
4. Vendor Fees: Festival vendor booth fees ranging from $250 for Maker & Artist vendors to $350 for Small Business vendors, plus $25 application processing fee.
5. Merchandise Sales: Festival merchandise including t-shirts, tote bags, and other branded items sold at the merchandise tent.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Boston Jazz Foundation produces the annual Charles River Jazz Festival and complementary year-round jazz programs including BJF In the Schools (an educational outreach program with Next Gen Scholarships), Jazz Square (a community celebration of Boston's jazz heritage), and the Boston Jazz Luminary Award. Revenue comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, VIP/Patron VIP ticket sales, vendor booth fees, and festival merchandise, all directed toward paying performing artists fairly and keeping programming free for the public.

Product overview

Boston Jazz Foundation is a single-platform nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of jazz-focused programs anchored by the Charles River Jazz Festival (its flagship annual event), complemented by educational initiatives (BJF In the Schools/Next Gen Scholarship), historical preservation programs (Jazz Square), recognition awards (Boston Jazz Luminary Award), and community support mechanisms (donation, sponsorship, vendor, and volunteer programs). The organization operates as an artist-run, volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uplifting local artists and fostering community through jazz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Charles River Jazz Festival Annual outdoor jazz festival featuring local and nationally recognized artists, food vendors, and artisan markets; offered with free general admission and VIP ($300) and Patron VIP ($500) upgrades.
• BJF In the Schools (Next Gen Scholarship) Educational program connecting Greater Boston students with professional musicians through school visits, performances, and live Q&As; includes Next Gen Scholarship awarding full tuition in partnership with Hamilton-Garrett Center for Music & Arts.
• Jazz Square Community initiative preserving and celebrating the jazz history of Boston's Mass Ave-Columbus Ave corridor, including concerts, walking tours, and visual art installations.
• Boston Jazz Luminary Award Annual award program recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the Boston jazz community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Festival attendance grew from 500 (2021) to 5,000+ (2025) in five years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• JazzBostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with JazzBoston on mutual projects supporting improvisational jazz advocacy and community engagement. Both organizations work toward the shared goal of jazz support and promotion in Boston.
• Cambridge Jazz FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Cambridge Jazz Foundation on joint initiatives. Three non-profit organizations agreed to collaborate on a number of projects while maintaining independent operations and areas of focus.
• Hamilton-Garrett Center for Music & ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Next Gen Scholarship program awarding full tuition for the 2023-2024 school year to Hamilton-Garrett Academy of Music and Arts students pursuing careers in music.
• Claremont Neighborhood AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Jazz Square celebration initiative honoring the history of jazz in Boston between Mass Ave and Columbus Ave.
• The Reckonings ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Jazz Square celebration initiative preserving and celebrating Boston's jazz history.
• Wally's Jazz CafecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJazz Square collaboration celebrating the only remaining historic jazz club from the area, which continues to serve as an important venue for jazz, improvisation, and community.
• Mayor's Office of Arts and CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported Jazz Square initiative and the Next Gen Scholarship program. Provides municipal support for jazz programming in Boston.
• Friends of Herter ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner in the Charles River Jazz Festival from 2021-2025. Partnership established the festival at Herter Park Amphitheater before the 2026 move to Hatch Memorial Shell.
• Boston Office of Arts & CulturemajorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor of the Charles River Jazz Festival. Part of city government supporting arts and cultural programming.
• The Boston FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor providing foundation support for the Charles River Jazz Festival.
• Meet BostonminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor of the Charles River Jazz Festival, promoting Boston as a cultural destination.
• Boston Cultural CouncilminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor of the Charles River Jazz Festival through the city's cultural funding programs.
• Berklee College of MusicminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor. Previously operated the Beantown Jazz Festival (2007-2019). Jazz Gender Justice program at Berklee is also a sponsor.
• Samuel AdamsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor of the Charles River Jazz Festival, providing beverage sponsorship.
• Eventide FenwayminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor providing oyster happy hour sponsorship for VIP ticket holders.
• Esplanade AssociationminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor supporting the Charles River Esplanade venue for the festival.
• Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor, managing the Esplanade property where Hatch Memorial Shell is located.
• WGBHminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor and media partner providing radio coverage.
• WICN (NPR)minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor and media partner, Boston's independent jazz and news station.
• BNN MediaminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor providing local media coverage through Boston Neighborhood News.
• Lunr StudiominorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor, creative agency supporting the festival.
• Sun MusicminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor supporting the Charles River Jazz Festival.
• EA-2CminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor supporting the Charles River Jazz Festival.
• Events UnitedminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 community sponsor providing event services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bostonjazzfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boston-jazz-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/bostonjazzfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@bostonjazzfoundation?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boston Jazz Foundation