[1] The institute has held its International Jazz Competition annually since 1987 and offered a full scholarship graduate-level college program since 1995.

It organizes free jazz education programs in public schools throughout the United States and the world “to encourage imaginative thinking, creativity, a positive self-image and respect for one’s own and others’ cultural heritage.”[2] It is also the lead non-profit responsible for coordinating the annual celebration of International Jazz Day, a United Nations initiative.

In September 1995, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance was launched and the first class of seven students began their intensive training with some of the world's greatest musicians.

Now known as the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance, the two-year, tuition-free program accepts one ensemble of musicians for each class.

The students study both individually and as a small group, receiving personal mentoring, ensemble coaching, and lectures on the jazz tradition.

Alumni include Ambrose Akinmusire, Lionel Loueke, Michael Mayo, Helen Sung, Carmen Staaf, Walter Smith III, Wayne Escoffery, Eli Degibri and Gretchen Parlato.

Branford Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Hugh Masekela, Arturo Sandoval, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Marian McPartland, Quincy Jones, and Diana Krall have all served as judges at past competitions.

Aspiring young musicians study improvisation, lyric writing, music theory, arranging, composition, turntable scratching, and sampling.

Recent concerts included performances by Billy Childs, Herbie Hancock, DJ Spark, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Mo Dee, Chali 2na, Supernatural, and Bobby Watson.

In summer 2020, the institute offered a series of free, virtual webinars introducing students in grades 4–12 to the Jazz in America curriculum.

In 1986, the institute produced "Celebrating a Jazz Master: Thelonious Sphere Monk," a PBS tribute concert hosted by Bill Cosby.

In 1996, the institute produced "A Celebration of America's Music", the first network television special devoted to jazz in over 25 years, which aired on ABC.