The Clarke County School District announces its expanded participation in the PEACH Education Tax Credit, a program through the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) that offers individuals and businesses an opportunity to redirect a portion of their state income tax liability to support innovative K-12 public education projects and initiatives in their communities.
Applications are now open for individual taxpayers and corporations to donate money toward eligible public education programs and projects of their choice and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state.
The PEACH Education Tax Credit is capped at $15 million and is approved on a first-come, first-served basis by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Using predetermined guidelines, the GFPE allows public school systems to raise funds through the program and support up to three priority projects with a focus on innovation. CCSD recently added two initiatives to the program for funding, including:
full outfitting of a dental clinic at the Clarke Middle Health Center (CMHC). The CMHC is one of four school-based health centers across CCSD open to district students, staff, and immediate family members. Health, social, and legal services at the CMHC are provided for free through a partnership between the district, the Augusta University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, and several other participating UGA colleges and organizations.
special projects to further the district’s “Culture of Literacy” campaign, which focuses on improving literacy rates throughout Clarke County, particularly in early childhood and elementary grade levels, as the foundation of CCSD’s mission to create educational journeys that empower all students to fulfill their potential.
These two initiatives join a previously established funding opportunity through the Peach Education Tax Credit to raise money for programming at the Athens Community Career Academy. This CCSD-operated special academic program serves as an extension of the district’s career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) program and allows high school students to take courses in more than a dozen high school- and college-level career pathways while providing them with opportunities to earn professional certifications and full-time employment as soon as high school graduation with competitive wages in high-demand jobs in Athens-Clarke County and the surrounding region.
To participate in the PEACH Education Tax Credit program:
Apply at www.gfpe.org/tax_credit/.
Once your application has been approved, make your donation within 60 days to your selected project/initiative. Select either “Athens Community Career Academy” or “Clarke County School District.”
Claim the credit on your 2025 Georgia Income Tax Return. Please note: You must file your taxes electronically to be eligible to claim this credit.
Tax credit eligibility limits are based on tax filing status.
Single individuals, heads of household, or married couples filing separately are eligible to receive a tax credit up to $2,500.
Married couples filing jointly are eligible for a tax credit up to $5,000.
LLC members or partnership partners are eligible to receive a tax credit up to $25,000.
S-corporation shareholders, C-corporations, or trusts are eligible to receive up to 75% of their annual Georgia income tax liability.
Additional information for donors can be found at this link.