First lady Melania Trump announced a $2 million scholarship initiative through her Fostering the Future initiative Thursday, part of a landmark strategic alliance with Fox Corporation and IndyCar expected to expand academic opportunities for individuals transitioning from foster care.
Fox Corporation is co-funding the initiative, contributing $1 million alongside IndyCar’s $1 million pledge. The funds directly create higher education scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University specifically for young people with lived experience in the foster care system.
The pact was announced at the White House ahead of the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, highlighting the strong connection between education and sport.
"The greatest achievement America can make is not in technology, infrastructure or capital markets. It’s our children," Melania Trump said during the event.
President Donald Trump and the first lady were joined by FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks; Penske Corporation Chairman Roger Penske; IndyCar President Doug Boles; Indiana University President Dr. Pamela Whitten; Purdue University Vice Provost Cherise Hall; IndyCar Series drivers Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi, Scott McLaughlin and Graham Rahal; and youths with foster care backgrounds for the Rose Garden event.
Shanks, an Indiana native who attended Indiana University, and Boles presented the first lady with checks at the event.
"Through work that we do every day at FOX Sports, we believe in investing in the future of America. Today, that commitment takes on an entirely new meaning," Shanks said.
"On behalf of Fox Corporation and our entire team at FOX Sports, we are extremely excited to partner with first lady Melania Trump and her visionary Fostering the Future initiative to fund scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University, giving extraordinary students the tools to build bright futures."
Jamie Little, Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe and Kevin Lee from the FOX Sports IndyCar broadcast team were also in attendance, and a car featuring the "Be Best" and Fostering the Future branding was on display.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is the first-ever auto race on the National Mall, honoring America’s 250th birthday. There will be live TV coverage airing on FS1 and FS2 Saturday and on FOX on Sunday. It will also stream on FOX One.
Every race car on the grid will carry special initiative decals to ensure the winning car displays support for foster youths.
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Fostering the Future was established by Melania Trump in 2021 to secure college access, housing support and transition resources for youth aging out of foster care. Nationally, less than 3% of former foster youths complete a college degree, but the first lady believes the funding will bridge a critical gap.
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