Gold Coast Jazz Society

What Gold Coast Jazz Society does

Gold Coast Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by Frederick G. Ruffner, Jr. and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that presents a seven-concert jazz series annually from November through May at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The organization serves South Florida jazz enthusiasts, student musicians, and corporate partners through a portfolio of interconnected programs: a mainstage concert series featuring internationally recognized jazz artists, the JazzSLAM in-school jazz education program for 4th and 5th grade students, the Jeanette M. Russell Jazz Scholarship Program for aspiring young musicians, the Gold Coast Jazz Society Band (a resident professional ensemble active since 1994), and First Friday Jazz Jams community events.

The organization operates with minimal proprietary technology — its digital presence consists of a WordPress-based website (goldcoastjazz.org), standard social media accounts (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, Instagram), and email newsletters (Jazz Notes, E-News). Ticketing is processed through Ticketmaster at the Broward Center's AutoNation Box Office. There is no proprietary platform, API, or technology stack; the underlying 'product' is live performance and in-person education.

Revenue is generated across five streams: annual membership dues across six tiers from Solo Jazz Club ($60) to Diamond Circle ($2,500); corporate sponsorship packages at three levels ($2,000, $3,000, $5,000); ticket sales and subscriptions ($15 student to $336 non-member full season); an endowment fund managed through the Community Foundation of Broward (seeded in 2004 with $100K raised plus $33K Kresge Foundation match); and planned giving/legacy donations. Operations are run by two paid staff (Executive Director Pamella Dearden, Business Manager Judy Murfin) plus Music Director Martin Hand and a Board of Directors led by President Tim Ingham.

Name

Gold Coast Jazz Society

Legal name

Gold Coast Jazz Society

Website

https://goldcoastjazz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gold Coast Jazz Society is a Fort Lauderdale-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit presenting a seven-concert annual jazz series at the Broward Center, plus jazz education (JazzSLAM), scholarships, and community events for South Florida jazz enthusiasts and student musicians.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Solo $60, Dual/Patron $100, Silver $250, Gold $500, Platinum $1000, Diamond Circle $2500) providing discounts, exclusive access, and recognition.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship program at three levels ($5,000, $3,000, $2,000) offering promotional exposure, logo recognition, complimentary tickets, and on-stage recognition at concerts.
3. Ticket Sales: Single concert tickets, subscription packages (Full 7-concert series, Jazz Trio 3-concert selection), and group sales. Tickets processed through Ticketmaster at Broward Center.
4. Endowment Fund: Endowment fund managed through Community Foundation of Broward, providing operating support. Raised $100,000 plus $33,000 Kresge Foundation match in 2004.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts and estate planning donations from supporters including Jeanette M. Russell and Mary Porter.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Gold Coast Jazz Society produces a seven-concert annual jazz series at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts from November through May, featuring world-class jazz artists such as Bob James, John Pizzarelli, and Stacey Kent. It also operates the JazzSLAM in-school jazz education program for 4th and 5th grade students, the Jeanette M. Russell Jazz Scholarship Program for student musicians, the resident Gold Coast Jazz Society Band, and monthly First Friday Jazz Jams community events. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, tiered memberships ($60–$2,500), corporate sponsorships ($2,000–$5,000), and an endowment at the Community Foundation of Broward.

Product overview

Gold Coast Jazz Society operates as a nonprofit jazz arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offering is the Gold Coast Jazz Concert Series, a seven-concert annual season at the Amaturo Theater featuring world-class jazz artists. Supporting this are educational initiatives including JazzSLAM (in-school jazz education), the Jeanette M. Russell Jazz Scholarship Program, and First Friday Jazz Jams for student musicians. The Gold Coast Jazz Society Band provides live performances for concerts and community events. The organization generates revenue through membership tiers ranging from Solo Jazz Club ($60) to Diamond Circle ($2500), corporate sponsorship packages ($2,000-$5,000), and endowment funds managed through the Community Foundation of Broward. Additional offerings include video content archives and planned giving opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JazzSLAM: A free in-school jazz education program targeted to 4th and 5th grade students, integrating jazz with Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Products and services

• Gold Coast Jazz Concert Series A seven-concert annual jazz series presented from November through May at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, featuring world-class jazz musicians performing classic standards and contemporary jazz. Targeted at jazz enthusiasts and music lovers in the South Florida market, with full-season subscriptions, trio subscriptions, and single tickets available.
• JazzSLAM (Jazz Supports Language Arts & Math) A free in-school jazz education program for 4th and 5th grade students featuring live interactive jazz presentations by a professional jazz quartet, integrating jazz music with Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies curriculum. Delivered in partnership with Broward County Public Schools SEAS Program and supported by grants from the Children's Opportunity Group, State of Florida, Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Frank Pace Foundation, and Publix Super Markets Charities.
• Jeanette M. Russell Jazz Scholarship Program Annual scholarship awards for vocal and instrumental music students pursuing jazz education at colleges, universities, or summer jazz camps, awarded through a competitive review and audition process. Restricted to Florida residents and supported by the Jeanette M. Russell legacy gift, Elizabeth and Daniel O'Connor Family Foundation, and Teri Pattullo memorial contribution.
• Gold Coast Jazz Society Band A professional jazz ensemble comprised of South Florida resident musicians with international reputations, performing traditional and classic jazz since 1994, featured on the mainstage concert series and at various community events. Directed by Music Director Martin Hand since 2013.
• First Friday Jazz Jams Monthly free community jazz events inviting aspiring young jazz musicians to jam with professional jazz trios, held at ArtServe/Fort Lauderdale Reading Center, providing opportunities for improvisation practice and performance before live audiences.
• GCJS Membership Program Annual membership program with multiple tiers (Solo Jazz Club $60, Dual/Patron $100, Silver $250, Gold $500, Platinum $1,000, Diamond Circle $2,500) offering discounts on concert subscriptions, advance notifications, exclusive event invitations, lobby signage, and complimentary tickets.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate partnership program offering marketing exposure through concert series sponsorship at three levels ($5,000, $3,000, $2,000), including season subscriptions, on-stage recognition, advertising in concert programs, donor listings, and opportunities to meet guest artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seven-concert annual season showcasing internationally recognized jazz artists
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Broward Center for the Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary venue host for the seven-concert jazz series at the Amaturo Theater. Broward Center processes all ticket sales through Ticketmaster and offers group sales discounts.
• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial ticketing service for Broward Center performances. Handles all single ticket and subscription purchases for Gold Coast Jazz Society concerts.
• Broward County Public Schools SEAS ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant supporter enabling JazzSLAM in-school jazz education program for 4th and 5th grade students.
• ArtServe/Fort Lauderdale Reading CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for First Friday Jazz Jams community events.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jazz at Lincoln Center: The largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to jazz performance, education, and preservation. Same core mission of presenting world-class jazz and educating audiences, though at materially larger scale and with multiple venues (Frederick P. Rose Hall). Directly comparable business model and programming structure.
• Pittsburgh Jazz: Regional nonprofit presenting jazz concerts, education programs, and community events in Pittsburgh. Closest direct peer by scale and operating model — small staff, concert-driven revenue, and K-12 outreach.
• Detroit Jazz Festival: Nonprofit presenting one of the world's largest free jazz festivals plus year-round education programming. Same presenting-nonprofit structure with corporate sponsorships, membership, and student outreach programs.
• Monterey Jazz Festival: Long-running nonprofit jazz festival and year-round education program (Monterey Jazz Festival Clinic). Comparable in presenting world-class artists, running jazz education, and operating as a 501(c)(3) arts organization.
• Chicago Jazz Institute: Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving, presenting, and promoting jazz through concerts, education, and community programs. Same multi-stream model (concerts, classes, outreach) targeting a similar enthusiast demographic.
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Iconic nonprofit jazz and heritage presenting organization, operating the annual festival plus the Jazz & Heritage Foundation's education and cultural programs. Directly comparable mission of jazz preservation, education, and community engagement.
• SFJAZZ: San Francisco-based nonprofit jazz presenting organization operating a multi-concert season, membership tiers, and education programs. Highly comparable model to GCJS with subscription series, donor programs, and community outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GoldCoastJazz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GoldCoastJazzSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/gold.coastjazz
• Instagraminstagram.com/goldcoastjazz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gold-coast-jazz-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Gold Coast Jazz Society