Partner With Our Network And Get Results

For over 43 years, the Foundation for Independent Higher Education has worked to perpetuate the special values and characteristics of America’s 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 state funds and their 645 member colleges and universities.

Achieve Your Objectives with Our Help

Founded in 1958, the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) is the product of a grassroots movement predicated on the idea that "It’s good for college presidents to know successful business leaders, and it doesn’t hurt that business leaders know a few college presidents either. The cause of freedom in all of its phases is of major concern to both."

Today, the Foundation is the national partner in a network of 35 state and regional independent college funds and their 645 affiliated private colleges and universities. More than $1.3 billion has been secured through their collaborative efforts for such purposes as scholarship programs, the in-service education of public school teachers, the enhancement of science and mathematics education, student voluntary service and minority educational achievement.

With a Board of Directors drawn from business and academia, the Foundation's efforts are devoted to achieving three goals:

• Secure philanthropic support for private colleges and universities

• Develop collaborative programs of mutual interest to the business, philanthropic and education communities

• Celebrate the unique characteristics and contributions of private colleges and universities.

Spreading Collaborations Across the Nation

Beginning with the Partnership for Private Colleges, FIHE initiated the first national effort aimed at exploring the means to create greater efficiencies in higher education. The primary tools are collaborative projects, usually focusing on the uses of new technologies. Thus far, FIHE has aided in the creation of 46 collaborative projects involving nearly 400 colleges and universities. Much of this effort to develop innovative collaborations continues through the FIHE/UPS National Venture Fund.

Enhancing Pedagogy Through Technology

• “Utilizing Technology to Redesign Curriculum”

• “Distance Learning Tutorial in Classical Latin”

• “The Community Outreach Web-Link”

Cost Containment in Administrative and Business Centers

• “The Internet Based Research Center”

• “Partnership for Business Process Redesign”

• “Information Technology Help Net”

Training Tomorrow’s Teachers

• “Strengthening Special Education Teacher Training”

• “The 4 R’s Teacher Assistant Program”

• “Inquiry, Interaction and Technology”

Heighten Your Visibility On Private College Campuses

An important effort of the network is to help donors become the brands of choice with our campuses and their people. The network also has the capacity to almost instantly communicate career opportunities to our campuses…and to hundreds of thousands of talented graduating seniors.

Donors Achieve Their Goals

FIHE and its large, dispersed network have education leaders in a national office and in 35 state and regional offices – working on behalf of 645 private colleges and 1.5 million students. 

Working with the FIHE network can help donors to efficiently extend their reach well beyond what their own limited staffs might be able to achieve. The network can support national and multi-national corporate and philanthropic organizations through delivering scholarships, conducting competitive grant projects, organizing collaborative ventures and managing endowments.

You write one check and provide instructions…

FIHE creates, manages, evaluates and reports.

We’ll Match Your New Gifts