The Ottawa Jazz Festival Seeks Volunteer Sponsor for 2026 Festival

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Jazz Festival is inviting organizations to submit proposals to become the official Volunteer Sponsor for the 2026 festival, taking place June 19–28, 2026.

© Andre Gagne

As the Festival celebrates its 46th year following a milestone 45th anniversary in 2025, this is a rare opportunity to align your brand with one of Ottawa’s most beloved cultural events.

Each summer, the Festival welcomes more than 150,000 attendees to downtown Ottawa and is powered by a passionate team of 600+ volunteers who are the heart and soul of the event. The Volunteer Sponsor plays a vital role in supporting and celebrating these dedicated individuals while gaining meaningful brand exposure across multiple touchpoints.

“Our volunteers bring invaluable energy, skills and commitment, strengthening the work and the Ottawa Jazz Festival community as a whole. They are the heartbeat at OJF, setting the rhythm from which all else flows. Our volunteer sponsors not only champion their efforts but also collaborate with us, inspiring and fostering an engaging environment that supports and uplifts the entire experience,” said Sharon McCalla, Volunteer Coordinator, Ottawa Jazz Festival.

Past Volunteer Sponsors have included respected organizations such as TD Bank Group and Wawanesa Insurance, demonstrating the high-profile impact and community value of this partnership.

A Unique and Dynamic Marketing Opportunity

The Volunteer Sponsorship offers extensive opportunities for brand visibility and engagement, including but not limited to:

• Prominent logo placement on volunteer uniforms

• Brand visibility within the Festival’s Volunteer Village

• Provision of daily lunches or meals for volunteers

• 15-second video placement on the Festival jumbotron

• Distribution of branded swag or promotional materials

• Recognition across Festival social media channels and dedicated e-newsletters

• Exclusive discounts or offers for volunteers

• Participation and on-site visibility at the Volunteer Thank You Party

• Collaborative storytelling opportunities aligned with community engagement

With hundreds of volunteers wearing branded apparel throughout the Festival and interacting directly with tens of thousands of attendees, the Volunteer Sponsor becomes a visible and celebrated presence at the largest downtown festival in Ottawa.

A Partnership with Purpose

The Ottawa Jazz Festival is seeking a partner who wants to do more than simply sponsor an event, we are looking for an organization eager to collaborate, inspire, and spread a positive message through our volunteer community. Together, we will mutually agree on a customized sponsorship package that best aligns with your marketing goals an

d brand values.

This distinctive opportunity does not come up often. Interested organizations are invited to submit their sponsorship proposals by end of day April 10, 2026.

Join us in celebrating at the 2026 Ottawa Jazz Festival and be part of an unforgettable experience!

For sponsorship inquiries and proposal submissions, please contact:

Mike Laviolette

Sponsorship Coordinator

Ottawa Jazz Festival

Mike@OttawaJazzFestival.com

613-879-7341

About the Ottawa Jazz Festival

Founded in 1980, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, a not-for-profit organization, is one of Canada’s premier music festivals, presenting world-class artists and diverse local programming each summer in the heart of downtown Ottawa. With a longstanding commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement, the Festival continues to be a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape.