Local
Tools
Typography

Alachua’s proposal is posted at levitt.org/vote

ALACHUA – Downtown Alachua could host a free outdoor concert series as soon as 2026 if a local proposal advances in a national public voting competition backed by the Levitt Foundation.

Josh’s Place, a hometown nonprofit, is partnering with the Alachua Business League (ABL) and the City of Alachua to compete for a Levitt Music Series grant of up to $120,000 over three years. The grant program supports free, family-friendly concerts designed to activate underused public spaces and draw residents and visitors into city centers.

Under the proposal, the Levitt AMP Alachua Music Series would stage up to 10 free shows each year with a diverse lineup of professional musicians. Organizers say the series is tailored to Alachua’s historic Main Street—where the city has invested in streetscape improvements and where independent shops, restaurants and festivals already anchor the downtown economy. Free, predictable programming, they add, could help businesses by extending foot traffic into evening hours and across multiple weekends.

The path to funding runs through public participation. The Levitt Foundation will winnow applicants to 50 finalists based on an online and text-to-vote phase that opens Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. Eastern and closes Sept. 15 at 11 p.m. Eastern. Alachua’s proposal is posted at levitt.org/vote; voters can also text ALACHUA to 877-409-5525. After public voting ends, the foundation will review the 50 finalists and announce the grant recipients Nov. 18.

The Levitt Music Series model targets small and mid-sized communities with populations under 250,000. Grants are awarded to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits and are structured as multi-year matching funds of up to $40,000 per year for three years for communities to produce their own series. In addition to the concerts themselves, the program encourages partnerships that reflect local identity and broaden access to the arts.

If selected, the Alachua series would join similar Levitt-funded efforts nationwide that spotlight local culture while creating repeat reasons to visit downtown districts. Organizers say the format — free admission, predictable schedules, and professional talent — lowers barriers for families and encourages cross-generational audiences to gather in civic spaces.

The proposal also emphasizes inclusivity and safety, with partners planning outreach to youth and families and coordination with city services. As with other Levitt series, concerts would be paired with local vendors and nonprofits, giving small businesses and community groups visibility at well-attended events.

Residents can help move the project forward by voting once online or via text during the September window and by sharing the information through neighborhood groups, schools, faith communities and social networks. Supporters point to the cumulative effect of consistent, free programming: more nights out downtown, broader arts exposure for young people, and steady patronage for storefronts that have helped sustain Main Street’s revival.

The series bid brings together three local partners with complementary roles:

  • Josh’s Place, a 501(c)(3) community outreach organization founded in 2021, would serve as the lead applicant and producer, building on its mission to create inclusive spaces and connect residents—especially youth—through programs and events. Josh’s Place honors the memory of Josh Harris, a 20-year-old electrician known for his kindness and strong work ethic. His story inspired the creation of a space for others feeling lost or alone to find hope and support.
  • Alachua Business League (ABL), known for organizing the city’s Main Street Festivals, would manage planning, on-site operations, vendor coordination and promotion, and support talent selection and hospitality. ABL’s network of downtown merchants is expected to help amplify the voting drive and, if funded, sustain the series through sponsorships and in-kind support.
  • The City of Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) would coordinate logistics in the downtown redevelopment district, help with site preparation and approvals, and provide the required local cash match, aligning the series with the CRA’s goals to spur economic activity and enliven public spaces.

The Levitt Foundation is expected to announce the 2026–2028 grant recipients Nov. 18 after reviewing the 50 publicly selected finalists.

For details on the proposal and voting, visit levitt.org/vote or text ALACHUA to 877-409-5525

#     #     #

email editor@

alachuatoday.com

View Comments