Big Win for Georgia’s Kids: State Budget Includes Historic Funding for Afterschool Programs

In a major victory for children, families, and afterschool programs across Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp signed the state budget into law on Friday, May 9th—and it includes something we’ve never seen before: a dedicated $12.5 million line item for out-of-school time programming.

This funding, known to lawmakers and afterschool advocates as BOOST 2.0, marks a historic moment for out-of-school time (OST) in Georgia. For the first time, the state is investing directly in afterschool and summer learning programs through the continuation of a competitive grant process that will support youth development across the state.

This milestone didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of hard work and proven impact. The Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN), in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, successfully administered $85 million in federal COVID-relief funds in the original BOOST (Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time) grant program beginning in 2021. That initiative empowered dozens of programs to expand access, reduce barriers to participation, and improve quality in support of the academic and extracurricular success of Georgia’s youth.

Thanks to the dedication of OST professionals, community partners, and the young people they serve, the results spoke for themselves. BOOST became a model of what’s possible with the intentional development of a public-private partnership specifically designed to invest in kids and ensure that the programs they and their families rely on are of the highest quality.

Now, with BOOST 2.0 on the horizon, Georgia has the exciting opportunity to build on that success. While the exact structure of the new grant program is still being developed, one thing is clear: Georgia is doubling down on its commitment to youth because of the field’s tireless efforts.

This is a moment to celebrate—and to say thank you. To the educators, program leaders, families, and young people who made BOOST a success: this win is yours. Thank you to the lawmakers and state leaders who helped make this investment possible. To everyone working in afterschool and summer learning, we invite you to share in this historic milestone as we continue our work to ensure every child in Georgia has access to high-quality learning and experiential opportunities beyond the school day.

Stay tuned. The next chapter of BOOST is just beginning.