Fostering Success Act, Inc. (FSA), announced it has signed a partnership agreement with the University System of Georgia (USG) Foundation.

The joint venture will enable the two organizations to raise funds for youth who have aged out of the state’s foster care system to attend one of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities with a scholarship or financial aid beginning in the immediate academic year.

The initial $10 million challenge grant is being funded by FSA to the USG Foundation, which will in turn seek matching donors so former foster youth may attend schools within the university system on a scholarship or with financial aid.

“This is a great example of how public-private partnerships can make a real difference in the lives of young adults who have no family to help them pursue their dreams,” said Heidi Carr, executive director of Fostering Success Act, Inc. “We know the USG Foundation will be an amazing partner in leveraging donations for these youth to obtain scholarships to attend schools in the University System of Georgia.”

In 2022, the Georgia General Assembly adopted the foster care tax credit, enabling taxpayers to donate to organizations like FSA, which aid youth aging out of the state’s foster care system. The funds are primarily used to pay for services, such as room, board, food, medical care, transportation and mentors, so these young adults may obtain a post-secondary education and pursue a career.

Jackson Healthcare, one of the nation’s top healthcare staffing agencies and one of the largest privately held companies in Georgia, founded FSA and fully covers its operating costs, so 100% of donations that go to FSA are used to benefit foster youth.

“Creating and fully funding Fostering Success Act, Inc. is a perfect example of our corporate mission – to improve the delivery of patient care and the lives of everyone we touch – in action,” said Shane Jackson, president of Jackson Healthcare. “The philosophy of caring for and serving others has been central to our culture since day one, and we are honored to have an opportunity to support some of our state’s most vulnerable youth through Fostering Success Act, Inc.”

In its initial year in 2023, the tax credit raised almost $11.6 million. The General Assembly created the $20 million foster care tax credit not only to help Georgians reduce their state income taxes but assist the more than 700 young adults who age out of the state’s foster care system each year.

National studies show the vast majority of those who age out of foster care wind up homeless, falling into a life of crime, living in poverty, addicted to drugs or alcohol, victims of sexual abuse or human trafficking, or unmarried and pregnant.

Carr encouraged Georgia taxpayers to apply for the tax credit program with the Georgia Department of Revenue. The first step to apply for the state tax credit starts here: https://fosteringsuccessact.org/start-the-process/tax-credit/