Georgia State Funding
BOOST Grants Program
Eligibility
- Georgia-based nonprofits, municipalities, and higher education institutions
- Must provide direct services to public school K–12 students through after-school and/or summer enrichment programs
- Organizations must be in operation at least 2 years
- At least 25% of youth served must qualify for free/reduced-price meals
- Applicants must offer learning acceleration plus at least two other areas: enrichment, physical activity, or well-being
Goals
- Expand access to quality after-school and summer programming
- Reduce barriers to participation (e.g., transportation, cost)
- Improve program quality through staffing, PD, curriculum, and partnerships
- Support youth well-being, connectedness, and workforce readiness
Application Due Date
- Friday, August 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Grant Cycle
- October 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026 (1-year grant with possible 1-year renewal)
Grant Award Total Amount
- Community Org Grants: $20,000 to $300,000/year
- Statewide Org Grants: $500,000 to $2,000,000/year
- Funding levels depend on youth served, the program model (summer, afterschool, or year-round), and % of low-income students
Allowable Purchases
- LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential and Prime kits for hands-on STEM and robotics to support inquiry-based learning and cross-curricular instruction
- Professional development for staff implementing LEGO® Education curricula
- Supplies and equipment for STEM/STEAM programming and career exploration
- Literacy and numeracy supports aligned to learning acceleration goals
- Enrichment and project-based learning materials for expanded learning time
Program Implementation Requirements
- Year-round programs must meet both after-school and summer minimums
- Afterschool: At least 2 hours/day, 3 days/week for 20 weeks minimum
- Summer: At least 4 hours/day, 3 days/week for 4 weeks minimum - Must track attendance, demographics, hours, and student outcomes
- Must commit to GSAN’s quality improvement process
Keep in Mind
- Applications must include learning acceleration and align with at least two other service areas (enrichment, well-being, physical activity)
- LEGO® Education programs align well with BOOST goals around STEAM, hands-on learning, and student engagement with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
- Including a custom quote that bundles SPIKE kits with PD and standards-based curriculum can strengthen your application and budget clarity
- Strong partnerships with schools and community organizations enhance competitiveness
- Be sure to review the Funding Matrix to request the appropriate amount based on youth served and services offered