DONATIONS & GIVING
🔥 Keep the Flame of Jazz Burning Bright
The NextJEN Campaign for Jazz Education – A $50,000 Goal to support the work of JEN!
Across the country, music programs are being silenced. Federal and nonprofit funding for arts education has sharply declined, leaving schools—especially those in under-resourced communities—without the instruments, instructors, or opportunities they need to keep music alive. Yet through it all, one thing remains unwavering: the fire of jazz, and the passion of the next generation determined to carry it forward is evidenced by the work of the Jazz Education Network.
Through the NextJEN Campaign, we’re raising awareness and funds to fill the void left by lost public support—ensuring that every student and educator has access to the tools, mentorship, and performance experiences that keep this art form thriving. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to support the programming and mission of the Jazz Education Network.
Each year, JEN serves thousands of students and educators through:
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The JENerations Jazz Festival – a international showcase where student ensembles perform, learn, and receive personalized clinics from world-renowned artists like John Clayton, Sean Jones, Helen Sung, Colleen Clark, and Victor Wooten.
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The Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo, Young Composer Showcase, Intercollegiate Community College Honors Jazz Ensemble(s), the AAJC All-Star New Orleans Youth Jazz Orchestra & Outreach Program, and Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation / JEN Research Fellowship – programs providing mentorship, performance, and scholarship opportunities to emerging musicians and educators.
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Monthly webinars, commissioned compositions, artist and educator awards – free resources and recognition that strengthen the future of jazz education around the globe.
These programs change lives. Last year, one Atlanta-area Title I school received full sponsorship to attend the JENerations Jazz Festival. For their students, it wasn’t just a trip—it was a turning point. Your gifts are essential in making these experiences possible for students!
💫 Be Part of the Movement — Become the NextJEN
Your donation doesn’t just fund programs—it celebrates your place in the jazz community. Each giving level includes a special donor benefit package filled with exclusive perks, recognition, and experiences designed to honor your generosity and connect you with JEN’s mission.
Click a donor level below to read about each benefit package.
Level 1 – Solo Spark 🔥 💵 $1 – $99
Every flame begins with a spark — your support lights the way.
A donation at this level supports JEN’s operations, ensuring the organization’s commitment to the mission of advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences for jazz music.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Visibility: Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
Level 2 – Igniting Force 🔥🔥 💵 $100 – $249
Fueling the first surge of energy in the next generation of jazz musicians.
A donation at this level supports membership and application financial assistance for student scholarship and program applicants including our Young Composer Showcase, Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo, Intercollegiate Community College Honors Jazz Ensembles(s), and the EFCF / JEN Research Fellowship.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Visibility:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts
Level 3 – Fueling the Fire 🔥🔥🔥 💵 $250 – $499
Providing the vital support that keeps the flame of jazz and jazz education burning bright.
A donation at this level supports JEN’s FREE, monthly jazz education webinars for educators and students.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Visibility:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts
• One (1) JEN T-shirt
Level 4 – Keeper of the Flame 🔥🔥🔥🔥 💵 $500 – $999
Protecting and sustaining the legacy of jazz for the future.
A donation at this level supports our commissioned chart program, ensuring that educators and students have premiere access to quality literature composed by world-class artists.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Visibility:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the February issue of DownBeat Magazine in our full page “Donor Thank You Message”
• Donor Reception: Invitation for one (1) to Conference Donor Reception
• One (1) JEN T-shirt
Level 5 – Torch Bearer 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 💵 $1,000 – $2,499
Carrying the light forward for the next generation of jazz musicians.
A donation at this level supports travel, meals, & hotel accommodations for one Sisters in Jazz and/or Young Composer Showcase Selectees, and annual award recipients.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Recognition:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the February issue of DownBeat Magazine in our full page “Donor Thank You Message”
• A personal phone call from a JEN representative
• Conference Registration Package:
• Conference registration for one (1)
• Invitation for one (1) to Donor Reception @ annual conference
• One (1) JEN T-shirt
• 10% discount on your next membership renewal.
Level 6 – Guiding Light 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 💵 $2,500 – $4,999
A steady beacon for those finding their way in jazz.
A donation at this level supports meals and housing costs related to full-time volunteer event staff.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Recognition:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts.
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the February issue of DownBeat Magazine in our full page “Donor Thank You Message”
• A personal phone call from a JEN representative
• VIP Conference Registration Package including:
• Conference registration for two (2)
• Invitation for two (2) to Conference Donor Reception
• Two (2) JEN T-shirts
• One year eJEN membership
Level 7 – Eternal Flame 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 💵 $5,000 – $9,999
A lasting commitment to keep jazz education burning strong for years to come.
A donation at this level contributes to the support of the JENerations Jazz Festival, ensuring that world-class jazz education can be delivered in a non-competitive, nurturing environment at the annual conference.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Recognition:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts.
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the February issue of DownBeat Magazine in our full page “Donor Thank You Message”
• A personal phone call from a JEN representative
• VIP Conference Registration Package including:
• Conference registration for 2
• Invitation for 2 to Donor Reception
• Reserved seating for 2 to the evening concerts
• Two (2) JEN T-shirts
• Two (2) one-year eJEN memberships
Level 8 – Legacy Inferno 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 💵 $10,000 – $25,000
A transformational force blazing a path for future generations of jazz artists and educators.
A donation at this level contributes to the support of stage production at the annual conference.
Donor benefits include:
• Donor Recognition:
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on website
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the printed conference guide (to ensure inclusion, donation must be received by Dec. 1, 2025)
• Donor name (or tribute) listed on-screen during the conference evening concerts.
• Donor name (or tribute) listed in the February issue of DownBeat Magazine in our full page “Donor Thank You Message”
• A personal phone call from a JEN representative
• VIP Conference Registration Package including:
• Conference registration for 2
• Invitation for 2 to Donor Reception
• Reserved seating for 2 to the evening concerts
• JEN SWAG package:
• Two (2) JEN T-shirts
• Two (2) JEN coffee mugs (while supplies last)
• Two (2) JEN insulated tumblers (while supplies last)
• Two (2) one-year JEN Full Individual memberships
Please click above to give to the
NextJEN Campaign
or mail your gift to the following address:
Jazz Education Network
1440 W Taylor St #1135
Chicago, IL 60607
Memo: NextJEN Campaign
The Jazz Education Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit.
EIN 26-2880358
To make a gift via a donor-advised fund or stock, please contact
our office at
[email protected]
or call 1-312-781-6299.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!
Mark Tipton
Don Braden
Keep up the great work!
Allison Miller
I'd like to dedicate my donation to the masterful Ray Drummond, who passed on Nov. 1st, 2025. Ray took me under his … Read More
I'd like to dedicate my donation to the masterful Ray Drummond, who passed on Nov. 1st, 2025. Ray took me under his wing when I was in my mid-twenties and taught me the best way Jazz can be taught...from the bandstand, in front of an audience. He supported my early career as a bandleader by playing on my first album and touring the release of that album. I am forever grateful for his kindness, generosity, support, dedication to the jazz community, and commitment to educating the next generations. Thank you Ray!
John Edward Hasse
Daniel Flores
Peter BarenBregge
Stephanie Nelson
Judith Grass
Tom & Beth Maguire
Alex Parker
Mary Jo Papich
William Stevens
John Baboian
Sylvia Johnson
Dr. Ted McDaniel
We must continue our support of Jazz … Read More
We must continue our support of Jazz Education.
Mary & Phil Rous
Marilyn Clark
This donation is dedicated to my late husband … Read More
This donation is dedicated to my late husband Warren W. Clark, whose first love of trumpet and jazz was lifelong.