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First lady Melania Trump unveiled a $2 million scholarship program Thursday in collaboration with Fox Corporation and IndyCar, designed to expand educational pathways for young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. The announcement came at a White House event held ahead of the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., taking place this weekend on the National Mall.
Fox Corporation is contributing $1 million to the initiative, with IndyCar matching that amount with its own $1 million pledge. The combined funds will support higher education scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University exclusively for individuals with foster care experience, addressing a significant gap in college access for this vulnerable population.
The announcement brought together prominent figures including President Donald Trump, FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks, Penske Corporation Chairman Roger Penske, IndyCar President Doug Boles, and university leaders. Four IndyCar Series drivers—Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi, Scott McLaughlin and Graham Rahal—attended the Rose Garden ceremony alongside youth from foster care backgrounds.
“The greatest achievement America can make is not in technology, infrastructure or capital markets. It’s our children,” Trump said during the event. She emphasized that the funding would provide essential resources for young people facing barriers to higher education.
Fostering the Future, established by the first lady in 2021, addresses a critical national challenge: fewer than 3 percent of former foster youth complete a college degree. The initiative offers college access, housing support and transition resources to help bridge this educational divide.
Every race car competing in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will display special initiative decals supporting the foster youth program. Live coverage will air on FS1, FS2, and FOX across the weekend, with streaming available on FOX One.
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