Michigan Education Trust Pizza Party Raises More Than $12,000 for Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund

More Than 320 Individuals Attend Annual Fundraiser on Michigan State Capitol Lawn

The more than 320 people who attended the Michigan Education Trust's 14th annual Pizza Party on the Michigan State Capitol Lawn got their fill of pizza and helped fill the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, which awards scholarships to students enrolled in Michigan colleges and universities who have experienced foster care.

The $12,000 raised at the Tuesday, June 23, pizza party fundraiser will help make the dream of a college education a reality for students who otherwise might lack resources to pursue higher education when they age out of the foster care system.

For a minimum donation of $10, attendees received a slice of pizza, dessert and a drink. This year, the Michigan Department of Treasury's Black History Committee partnered with the Fostering Futures Scholarship to hold a celebration in honor of Juneteenth.

Students who receive this scholarship can use the money for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses. Funds raised through the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund provide scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care and are enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or university. Awards are paid to the students' college or university for expenses.

There are an estimated 10,000 youth in Michigan's foster care system. Approximately 10% to 20% of Michigan youth who age out of foster care enroll in college. Based on findings from the 2024 Fostering Futures Data Report, an estimated 81% of students receiving the scholarship were assessed as having no expected financial contribution to the cost of college. This highlights the program's role in supporting students who have significant financial needs.

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, established in 2012, has received more than $6.7 million through events and contributions.

In addition, over 115 pillows and more than 200 pillowcases were collected during the pizza party for The Pillow Effect, a Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI) project. Because children entering foster care often don't have their essential personal items with them, donations will benefit counties across Michigan, including Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Ionia and Shiawassee.

The Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn is sponsored by Hungry Howie's, Park West Foundation, Michigan Education Savings Program, iHeart Media, LAFCU, Güd Marketing, Michigan Association of State Universities, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, MSU Federal Credit Union, Quality Dairy, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and WLNS-TV 6 in Lansing with support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and MYOI.

Couldn't attend and want to make a difference?

Donate or register online using a credit card, or to donate by check, complete and submit the Fostering Futures Scholarship Contribution Form along with a check made payable to the State of Michigan - Fostering Futures Scholarship.

Contributions made by Dec. 31 are eligible for a tax deduction on federal and state income tax forms in the year they are made. MET's Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is an IRC Section 170(c) organization, making all donations tax deductible.

To learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund or to donate, go to https://www.michigan.gov/fosteringfutures.

About MET

Administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, MET is the state's Section 529 prepaid tuition program, which allows for the purchase of future college tuition credits based on today's rates. MET, Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) and MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP), Michigan's three Section 529 college savings programs, offer Michigan taxpayers a state income tax deduction on contributions and potential tax-free growth on earnings if account proceeds are used to pay for qualified higher education expenses.

More information about MET is available at https://www.michigan.gov/setwithmet or 800-MET-4-KID (800-638-4543).