Collective Impact Framework

Few organizations embody the spirit of collective impact like Fostering Success Michigan. Their leadership in driving systems change for students with experience in foster care has elevated the conversation statewide and inspired action across sectors. Their model is not only effective — it’s essential.

Collective Impact Framework

Fostering Success Michigan (FSM) began in 2012 at Western Michigan University with a simple but powerful idea: students with experience in foster care could succeed in college—if systems worked together to support them. Early campus leaders, child welfare professionals, and community partners came together to identify what was missing and imagine what was possible.

collage of students of all ages to a picture of the backs of graduates.

Fostering Success Michigan (FSM) employs a Collective Impact Framework to address systemic barriers limiting postsecondary access, persistence, and workforce attainment for students with experience in foster care. By aligning cross-sector partners around shared policy priorities, coordinated implementation, and data-informed decision-making, FSM advances scalable, sustainable solutions that strengthen Michigan’s education-to-career pipeline.

FSM’s approach is grounded in five evidence-based conditions for large-scale systems change: backbone infrastructure, a common policy agenda, mutually reinforcing strategies, shared measurement and accountability, and continuous cross-sector communication.

Common Agenda

FSM is aligned with Michigan’s statewide postsecondary attainment goal—60% of Michigan residents earning a certificate or degree by 2030. This alignment ensures that students with experience in foster care are explicitly included in Michigan’s broader talent development and workforce strategies, addressing both educational equity and long-term economic competitiveness.

Mother holding daughter as a child welfare agencies takes notes.

Mutually Reinforcing Activities

FSM partners—including higher education institutions, child welfare agencies, community-based organizations, philanthropy, and employers—coordinate roles and responsibilities across the education-to-career continuum. Partners implement complementary strategies, share evidence-informed practices, and adapt interventions to local contexts while maintaining alignment with statewide objectives.

Become an FSM Network partner.

Student speaking to employer reviewing her skills.

Shared Measurement and Accountability

FSM is establishing a shared measurement system through the FSM Higher Education Consortium, tracking student access, persistence, completion, and transition into employment. These data provide a statewide view of outcomes for students with experience in foster care, support continuous quality improvement, and inform policy and funding decisions.

Review the FSM Developmental Evaluation (2012–2015).

Continuous Communication

FSM facilitates continuous communication to support transparency, coordination, and policy alignment across systems. Through structured convenings, briefings, publications, and digital engagement, FSM elevates emerging challenges, disseminates best practices, and supports collective problem-solving to advance statewide impact.

Collective Impact Framework