Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund Raises More Than $39,000 for Foster Youth from Kalamazoo Fundraiser

Caption: State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks supplies remarks to visitors on the Fostering Futures Fundraiser Dinner in Kalamazoo on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Michigan’s foster care youth are eligible to obtain faculty scholarships following a Fostering Futures Scholarship Belief Fund Fundraising Dinner in Kalamazoo organized by the Michigan Training Belief (MET) and the Michigan Division of Well being and Human Companies (MDHHS).

Friday night’s occasion on the Radisson Plaza Lodge in Kalamazoo was attended by round 150 visitors who raised roughly $39,375 for scholarships by MET, the Michigan Division of Treasury’s 529 pay as you go tuition program. 

“Fostering Futures Scholarship fundraisers are about breaking down boundaries for Michigan’s youth who’ve skilled foster care and demonstrating how compassion can flip into motion, hope into actuality and desires into achievements,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks mentioned. “I’m impressed by our foster youth who overcome extra challenges than most to acquire a certificates or diploma. The cash raised helps make the dream of school a actuality for a whole bunch of Michiganders yearly.”

A partnership between MET and MDHHS makes Fostering Futures Scholarships potential.

Near 10,000 youth are within the Michigan foster care system run by the Michigan Division of Well being and Human Companies. Nationally, fewer than 10% of former foster youth enroll in faculty after highschool and fewer than 3% finally earn a level.

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Belief Fund supplies former Michigan foster care college students who could not have enough monetary assets to attend faculty with a scholarship to a Michigan faculty or college. Through the 2023-24 tutorial 12 months, 441 college students at 60 completely different establishments benefited from the scholarship.  

“Everybody deserves the chance to pursue the training and profession path that’s proper for them,” mentioned Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “MDHHS is proud to be a part of this program, which assists with tuition and charges, books and provides, and room and board for college students at a vocation college, apprenticeship or faculty.”

Fostering Futures Scholarship Belief Fund is a Part 170(c) group, so all contributions are eligible for an revenue tax deduction.

Anybody who couldn’t attend the occasion could make donations to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Belief Fund by visiting www.FosteringFutures-MI.com. Fostering Futures Scholarship Belief Fund is a Part 170 (c) non-profit group.  All contributions are eligible for an revenue tax deduction.

Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled greater than $1.4 million, with funds awarded as scholarships within the 12 months they have been raised.