Community impact is integral to Bonnaroo since day one, according to Kelsey Dewald, Bonnaroo’s Sustainability and Impact Manager, who spoke during the Manchester Chamber of Commerce June luncheon.

That impact ranges from onsite nonprofit booths (so called beer tents) to the distribution of funds after the festival to impacting the lives of those attending the festival.

“The core value of the festival is ‘Radiate Positivity.’ We on the impact side take this angle to ‘Radiate Compassion,’” Dewald said.

“We want the patrons to be inspired when they are on the Farm, and then when they leave the Farm to do good in the community when they get home,” she said.

During the festival, initiatives include the charity Roo Run that is held with the help of the local Mach10 running club, activities and hand-picked nonprofits at Planet Roo to green initiatives that help offset the carbon footprint of those traveling to the festival.

Onsite Bonnaroo has mandated vendors use only compostable and recyclable packaging. According to Dewald, the festival has completely eliminated single-use plastics.

One dollar from every ticket is donated directly to nonprofits in addition to guest tickets, industry passes and similar benefi ts that go into the fundraising pool.

Bonnaroo has also provided grants across the region to projects that promote sustainability and community development.

“There has always been that community giveback that we’re really invested in to make sure that Coffee County and Manchester know that we are grateful to be here,” she said.

Dewald said Bonnaroo is still giving out the same amount of donations even though the festival has shifted away from the Bonnaroo Works umbrella.

She said the festival will continue to focus on arts and education, but will now look at fewer grants and bigger payouts.

One initiative the festival has supported this year is helping to promote mental health initiatives in local schools.

“We invested $100,000 into the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse services on a school based mental health program,” Dewald said.

The festival is working directly with the three local school districts to build a program in eight schools to create safe spaces in schools or provide therapy at no cost to students.

Leftovers, from food to building material, are donated to area nonprofits such as Storehouse Food Pantry to reduce waste and give it a second life post festival.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will be June 11-14.