M4Louisiana is a group of Star Wars enthusiasts, local business owners, educators, and community leaders who created this annual festival to uplift students and schools in Terrebonne Parish through the power of the arts.
May The 4th Be With You – Louisiana
2026 School Arts Program Application Guidelines
Mission
May the 4th Be with You – Louisiana, organized by M4Louisiana, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, blends Star Wars fandom with Cajun culture to raise funds for local school music, art, and cultural programs. What began as a small gathering has grown into a full-day community festival that celebrates creativity, encourages expression, and supports the arts in our schools.
Who We Are
What We Do
Celebrate Local Culture: Showcasing Cajun cuisine, music, crafts, and performances that highlight the unique character of Louisiana.
Foster Creativity: Encouraging creative expression for all ages through activities such as the cooking competition, costume contests, the Kessel Run 5K, Ewok Trot, and the Intergalactic Circus.
Give Back: A portion of the proceeds raised directly benefits the selected school’s music, arts, or cultural programs. Funds may support instruments, uniforms, art supplies, travel, and more. The maximum award to a single applicant is up to $10,500.
Purpose
The purpose of this application is to select a school or schools in Terrebonne Parish to receive financial support from the 2026 May the 4th Be with You – Louisiana Festival. Funding will be awarded to programs that demonstrate clear need, meaningful community engagement, and alignment with M4Louisiana’s mission to support and celebrate student creativity through the arts.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, the applicant school(s) must:
- Be located within Terrebonne Parish.
- Be a public school or private school offering music, art, or cultural education programs.
- Use the awarded funds to directly benefit students.
- Demonstrate financial need and a clear vision for use of funds.
- Be able to participate in publicity and fundraising activities.
- Be willing to provide student/staff volunteers to support the festival.
- Not have received the award in 2025.
- Submit a fully completed application by the deadline.
Scoring Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by the M4Louisiana Selection Committee using the following criteria:
Evaluation Category | Weight |
|---|---|
Statement of Need | 40% |
Community Engagement | 30% |
Future Impact | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Statement of Need (40%)
- Describe the financial needs of your school’s program.
- Explain how funds will be used (e.g., equipment, program expansion, travel, residencies).
- Include estimates for specific purchases or projects.
Community Engagement (30%)
- Share examples of your school’s involvement in the local community.
- Describe how your school will promote the festival and engage its network.
- Indicate a willingness to provide student/staff volunteers to support the event.
Future Impact
- Describe the anticipated short- and long-term impact of receiving funding.
- Explain how this support will positively impact students.
- Confirm commitment to providing a written impact statement with stories, photos, or testimonials after the funding period.
Scoring Criteria
Submit Online: www.mayfourthfest.org
Deadline: September 30, 2025, by 5:00 PM CST
Ensure your application is complete and accurate.
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Selection & Notification
The school(s) will be selected as the 2026 fundraising recipient(s) based on the highest score(s).
All applicants will be notified of their status by November 3, 2026
Upon acceptance, the selected school(s) will receive an onboarding packet with the next steps.
Important
- Schools selected as recipients are ineligible for selection the following year to ensure equitable opportunities for others.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. If a question does not apply, indicate “N/A.”