Fostering Futures Gala Helps Students Who Experience Foster Care in Michigan Change Their Lives through Educational Opportunities

Issah Idris, who was born in Ghana and has experienced foster care in the United States, wants everyone to know that his past does not define his future.

Idris’ future is shaping up quite well as a junior at Western Michigan University thanks to support he is receiving from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, which will host its annual fundraising gala Sept. 18 at the Motor City Casino.

“Our past does not have to dictate our future,” said Idris, one of this year’s featured scholars at the gala. “Thank you for investing in our future.”

Megan Patino, executive director of the Michigan Education Trust, which oversees the Fostering Futures Scholarship, said Idris’ journey is not uncommon.

“Behind every Fostering Futures scholarship is a student with a story, a goal and a vision for what comes next,” said Patino. “These students have shown incredible determination to pursue a degree, career or a better future despite circumstances they did not choose. When we invest in them, we are not simply helping a student pay for college — we are investing in their independence, their confidence and their ability to build the future they envision. Every dollar raised is an opportunity to tell a young person, ‘Your future matters, and your community is standing with you.’”

Idris said that having a supportive community has helped him navigate college academically and personally. He was recently accepted into the nursing program at WMU and said that his goal is to become an intensive care unit nurse and help patients through the challenges of recovery.

“Your assistance is helping students have a future and reminding us that we can be more than where we came from,” Idris said.

Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is a scholarship program that helps eligible students who have experienced foster care pursue and complete higher education. The program provides financial assistance that can be used toward college expenses, including tuition, mandatory fees, book, supplies, room and board and other educational costs. Both MET and the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund are administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

More than 500 students who experienced foster care were aided by a Fostering Futures Scholarship in 2025-26 school year, according to the MI Student Aid office.

Nationally, it is estimated between 69% and 85% of students who have experienced foster care complete high school by their mid-20s, and just 8% to 11% go on to earn a postsecondary degree (associate or higher) — five times lower than the national average. The gala will include dinner, raffles, prizes and networking opportunities with others who share a commitment to making higher education attainable for young people who have aged out of foster care.

Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight and are available to the public. To purchase tickets, explore sponsorships or learn more, visit Fostering Futures Scholarship Event or call 800-638-4543.

“These scholarships really do change lives and the impact of those changes ripples forward,” Patino said. “We want to help as many students as possible, and this fundraising dinner helps us open doors to brighter futures for Michigan’s foster youth.”

Those unable to attend can still contribute by donating securely online or mailing a check with the Fostering Futures Scholarship Contribution Form to
State of Michigan — Fostering Futures Scholarship, P.O. Box 30198, Lansing, MI 48909. Contributions made by Dec. 31 are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170(c).

Sponsors of the Detroit event include iHeart, Güd Marketing, Metroparent, Lake Trust Credit Union, Michigan Education Savings Program, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, Park West Foundation, Ferris State University, GRS Consulting, Michigan College Access Network, Orchards Children’s Services, Brogan & Partners, Carol Garibaldi, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and WXYZ-TV.

About the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, housed in the Michigan Department of Treasury, is a Sec. 170 (c) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide scholarships to former foster youth enrolled at Michigan colleges and universities. The Fund was established in 2012 to provide scholarships to students who have experienced foster care and do not have adequate financial resources to attend college. It was re-established as an endowment and scholarship trust fund in 2015 by amendment to Public Act 525 of 2008.