Friday, January 8, 2016
Hilton, Tow, Surdna and Edna McConnell Clark Noted as Important Funders for Foster Youth
Aging out of foster care can be a difficult process. With little community support, former foster kids are more at risk for homelessness, arrest and incarceration, and failure to graduate from college.
The process can go well when there is adequate community support, but that is not often the case for former foster youth. With average income of only $470 a month, and statistically high unemployment, this is a population of individuals who can use all the help they can get. Many foundations recognize the role that philanthropy can play in creating better outcomes for these vulnerable youth, and are funding programs and projects in diverse ways. Let’s look at some of the funders who are working to support this process and give kids aging out of foster care the same kinds of opportunities that other kids get.
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is worth watching closely in the next few years on this front, as they are funding what looks like some of the most innovative work for foster youth out there. . .