Foundation for Independent Higher Education ( FIHE )

The Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) is the national partner for a network of state-based private college fundraising associations in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Founded in 1958 as The Independent College Funds of America, FIHE was created to support the work of the regional fundraising consortia, to secure additional financial resources in support of America's independent colleges and universities

University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...

and their students, and, together with its members, be a primary voice of independent higher education

Higher education

Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...

to corporate and philanthropic communities. FIHE today supports 32 state consortia through member services programs, professional development workshops, collaborative initiatives, and grant programs made possible by gifts from corporations as well as from its own endowment. Based in Washington, DC, FIHE has provided nearly $100 million in grants to and through its member state consortia, and has had a tangible impact on the growth and development of the private college sector in America.

National Impact

For over 50 years, FIHE's efforts have been focused on:

Securing philanthropic support for private colleges and universities, primarily from the corporate sector;
Developing collaborative programs of mutual interest to donors and institutions in the private college sector;
Celebrating the unique characteristics and contributions to our nation of our private colleges and universities;
Strategically linking the corporate and philanthropic objectives of business and industry with the strengths and opportunities provided by a national network of 32 state funds and their nearly 600 member colleges and universities.

Including all state-generated support, direct FIHE grants and its challenge grant components, more than $1.6 billion has been secured for the private college sector for such purposes as budget support, scholarship programs, faculty development, the enhancement of science and mathematics education (see STEM fields

STEM fields

STEM fields is a US Government acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The acronym is in use regarding access to work visas for immigrants who are skilled in these fields. Maintaining a citizenry that is well versed in the STEM fields...

), career services program, curriculum

Curriculum

See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...

development, and minority student educational achievement.

Programs

Among FIHE's current signature programs are:

National Venture Fund grants, supporting states in innovative collaborative projects benefitting their private colleges;

FIHE/UPS Scholarship Program, providing over $1.5 million a year in scholarship support for private college students with demonstrated need and academic promise.

First Opportunity Partners program, enhancing private college access and opportunity for low-income, minority, first generation, and new American students. Its three-fold purpose is to broaden the accessibility to higher education, to strengthen student retention and academic experiences, and to prepare students for the future world of work.

State Fund Members

To help strengthen the nation's private college sector, FIHE works through, and provides financial support for, state-based associations of private colleges and universities.

FIHE's State Partners are:

Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAICU)
Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU)
Independent Higher Education of Colorado Fund (IHEC)
Florida Independent College Fund (FICF)
Georgia Independent College Association (GICA)
Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI)
Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI)
Iowa College Foundation (ICF)
Kansas Independent College Fund (KICF)
Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU)
Louisiana Independent College Foundation (LAICU)
Independent College Fund of Maryland (I-Fund)
Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF)
Minnesota Private College Fund (MPCF)
Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF)
Nebraska Independent College Foundation (NICF)
Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ)
New Mexico Independent College Fund (NMICF)
North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU)
North Dakota Independent College Fund (NDICF)
Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC)
Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities (OICU)
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities (OAICU)
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP)
South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU)
South Dakota Foundation of Independent Colleges (SDFIC)
Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA)
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas Foundation (ICUT)
Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC)
Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW)
West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities (WVICU)
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
The Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities , headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, was founded in 1961 and is recognized under state law as the official organization of Wisconsin private, nonprofit colleges and universities and their 57,000 students...

(WAICU)

Presidents/Executive Directors

1958-67 - Gerald P. Burns
1968-73 - Byron K. Trippet
1973-75 - William F. Young
1975-86 - John A. Logan, Jr.
1986-88 - John M. Duggan
1988-89 - Francis J. Mertz
1989-92 - John P. Blessington
1992-99 - Carole B. Whitcomb
1999-08 - William E. Hamm
2008-10 - Myrvin F. Christopherson
2010 --- - Ned Moore

Planning for the Future

Looking to the future, FIHE is beginning a new partnership with the Council of Independent Colleges

Council of Independent Colleges

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of nearly 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities and more than 70 higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance...

, a national organization also known for its work in strengthening the private college sector. With their programs soon to be brought together under one roof, FIHE and CIC will together achieve even greater national reach and program synergies to benefit independent higher education. And the merged organization will do so with significant cost-efficiencies, through savings achieved by eliminating duplicated support areas and budget expenses - one administration supporting two important national programs.

External links

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