At Foster Success, we believe financial literacy isn’t just about numbers. It’s about empowering young people with lived experience in foster care toward independence and a future they can build with confidence.
That’s why financial empowerment for youth sits at the heart of our work. Every April during National Financial Literacy Month, we celebrate the young people who take control of their financial futures, and Princess is one of them.
Why Financial Empowerment Matters for Young People in Foster Care
Most young adults lean on family as they learn to budget, open a bank account, or save for a big purchase. Young people who age out of foster care often navigate those steps on their own, with less room for mistakes.
Our Financial Empowerment programs help fill that gap. We pair practical money skills with real savings support, so young people can reach goals that once felt out of reach.
How Princess Found Opportunity Passport®
Princess was participating in our Catalyst program when she first heard about Opportunity Passport®. She already had a big purchase in mind, and she saw the program as a chance to take her savings goal to the next level.
“It taught me about budgeting and putting money [aside.] [The program] had a lot of saving techniques which was helpful because I was saving to get a car.”
What Is Opportunity Passport®?
Opportunity Passport, Foster Success‘s multi-year financial program, helps young adults with foster care experience learn to manage money and grow their savings. Participants start with a financial education course covering topics like budgeting, credit, saving, and investing.
After finishing the course, participants receive seed money to kick-start their savings. Then the real motivation begins: Opportunity Passport® matches savings dollar for dollar, up to $3,500, when participants use the money for an approved asset.
Like other matched savings programs, the match rewards saving with purpose. Approved assets include things like housing costs, education expenses, and vehicle purchases. Since 2009, participants have saved more than $500,000, and we’ve matched it.
Learn more about Opportunity Passport® eligibility and how to apply.
Saving With Purpose: Princess Buys Her First Car
Princess put what she learned into practice. After completing the program, she had enough saved to purchase her own car.
“I really do love my car! And I’m thankful for Opportunity Passport®,” she said. “If I didn’t have this help, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”
A reliable car means more than getting around. For many young adults, it opens doors to better jobs, school, and the freedom to plan their own lives.
Now fueled with confidence and skills, Princess has her sights set on her next big step: saving for an apartment. The habits she built through Opportunity Passport® give her a strong foundation for that goal and the ones that follow.
The Impact of Financial Empowerment at Foster Success
Princess isn’t alone. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Foster Success supported 369 young people through our financial empowerment programs, distributing more than $121,000 to those who successfully completed them.
Every dollar represents a young person investing in their own future, whether that means a first apartment, college, or a car like Princess’s.
Opportunity Passport® is just one piece of our financial support. Young people can start with our free Online Financial Modules, which cover money basics at their own pace and serve as the first step toward Opportunity Passport®.
Foster Success also connects young people with other foster care financial assistance resources in Indiana, including support for education, housing, and health coverage.
Your Future Starts With One Step
Princess’s story shows what happens when young people get the tools, support, and belief they deserve. With a plan and a little help, big goals become real ones.
If you have experience in foster care and want to take control of your finances, we’re here for you. Explore our Financial Empowerment programs or talk to a member of our team to start building the future you want today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Opportunity Passport®?
Opportunity Passport® is a multi-year financial education and matched savings program for young adults with foster care experience. Foster Success offers the program in Indiana.
Who can join Opportunity Passport®?
Young adults ages 18 to 25 who spent time in Indiana foster care at or after age 14 may qualify. Additional requirements apply, so check the program page for the full eligibility list.
How do matched savings programs work?
Matched savings programs add money to what you save, as long as you use it for an approved goal. With Opportunity Passport®, Foster Success matches your savings $1 for $1, up to $3,500 over your lifetime.
What can I use matched savings for?
You can use your match for assets that help you build financial stability, like housing, education, or a vehicle.
What foster care financial assistance is available in Indiana?
Indiana offers several types of foster care financial assistance for young adults, including education vouchers, extended foster care support, and Medicaid coverage until age 26. Foster Success can help you figure out which resources fit your goals.
How do I get started with Opportunity Passport®?
Complete the free Online Financial Modules through your Foster Success account. Then watch for the next Opportunity Passport® application window, which opens several times a year.