AthFest Educates is dedicated to supporting music and arts education in the Athens community, and its annual events, the AthFest Music & Arts Festival and the AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K, raise funds to support its mission. Applications for the 2025-2026 grant cycle are currently open until Aug. 25. Applicants planning to use music and/or arts as a teaching and learning mechanism for core education are encouraged to apply. See the official press release below for the money raised by this year’s AthFest.
Athens, GA — AthFest Educates raised over $65,000 at the 2025 AthFest Music & Arts Festival held in downtown Athens June 21-23. These funds will support high-quality, accessible music and arts education for K-12 students in Athens-Clarke County.
The 3-day Festival generated funds through ticket purchases, merchandise and beverage sales, sponsorships, vendor and artist market fees, and individual donations. The organization thanks all the volunteers, sponsors, vendors, artists, performers and attendees who made the festival a success this year!
AthFest 2025 performers had an option to participate in crowdfunding for the AthFest Educates mission, with the top fundraising act receiving a guaranteed slot on the AthFest 2026 Main Stage. This year’s top fundraiser was Tropical Breeze Steel Band, who raised a record $1,700 for the organization. We look forward to having them on the Main Stage next year.
“We are so grateful for our community’s support of AthFest! This local support was even more vital this year, as we did not receive nearly $40,000 in expected grant funding due to Executive Orders and the changing priorities of the current federal administration. We are thrilled that Athens continues to value the arts, and arts education, in our community,” says Mary Joyce, Executive Director of AthFest Educates.
AthFest Educates produces two annual fundraisers, the AthFest Music & Arts Festival and the AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K. Proceeds from these events fund arts education for K-12 students in Athens-Clarke County through the AthFest Educates Grants Program, available to local educators. For more information, visit www.athfesteducates.org.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
