LANSING, Mich. - Nearly 430 foster youth are eligible to receive college scholarships following the 12th annual Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund Benefit Dinner organized by the Michigan Education Trust (MET) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Friday evening's event at Motor City Casino in Detroit was attended by more than 200 guests, including Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, and raised $101,590 for scholarships through MET, the Michigan Department of Treasury's 529 prepaid education program. So far this year, MET has raised more than $151,000 for these scholarships.

Both the fundraiser dinner and raffle benefit youth who have experienced foster care in Michigan. A partnership between MET and MDHHS makes Fostering Futures Scholarships possible.

"Every young person exiting foster care deserves the support and resources they need to chase their dreams," said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. "I was proud to join the 12^th annual Fostering Futures Event, which has raised more than $1.4 million for students since 2012. Governor Whitmer and I will keep working hard to foster brighter futures for Michiganders and the state we all love."

"The Michigan Department of Treasury and partners have been working for more than a decade to bring hope and resources to Michigan's foster youth," State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. "The funds we raise together demonstrate our compassion and our belief in the hopes, dreams, and achievements of Michigan's youth who have experienced foster care. For this academic year, we have awarded 429 students more than $1 million in scholarships. All contributions make a difference in our communities."

Approximately 10,000 youth are in the Michigan foster care system run by MDHHS. Nationally, fewer than 10% of former foster youth enroll in college after high school and fewer than 3% earn a degree.

Fostering Futures is a life-changing resource for so many of Michigan's youth," said Rachel Willis, bureau director of Out-of-Home Services for MDHHS Children's Services Administration. "Investing in students and helping them achieve their dreams is one of the most meaningful investments we can make as individuals, as organizations and as a state. MDHHS is proud to collaborate with state agencies, colleges and universities and other partners to provide opportunities to students through this program."

Carolyn Clifford, anchor for television station WXYZ Channel 7, emceed the event.

Keynote speaker, Paul Blavin, co-founder and vice chairman of Mercy BioAnalytics and social venture entrepreneur, spoke about his philanthropic focus on youth life transformation for those who need it the most and are least able to help themselves.

"Talent is widespread in our society unfortunately, opportunity is not," Blavin said.

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund provides former foster care students who may not have adequate financial resources to attend college with a scholarship. During the 2024-25 academic year, 429 students at 56 institutions are eligible for support.

Anyone who could not attend Friday's event can make donations to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund by visiting FosteringFutures-MI.com. Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is a Section 170(c) non-profit organization. All contributions are eligible for an income tax deduction. Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $1.4 million, with funds awarded as scholarships in the year they were raised.

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