Whitehead Foundation boosts Georgia initiative to expand afterschool program statewide

The Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network have announced a $7.5 million expansion of state BOOST grants to expand afterschool and summer learning opportunities statewide. The initiative includes a $5 million award from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation and an additional $2.5 million allocation from the state budget. BOOST grants support community-based organizations providing academic enrichment, student wellness services, and family engagement programs outside school hours. The program currently supports 62 organizations serving nearly 50,000 students statewide. The new funding will help meet rising demand for high-quality out-of-school programs following the expiration of federal pandemic-era support.