Independent College Fund of New Jersey
administrative history
History
The Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ) was founded in 1953 as a cooperative effort involving business and academic leaders of New Jersey in order to broaden financial support for and awareness of independent higher education.
Mission
The Independent College Fund empowers deserving students to realize their goals by strengthening New Jersey's independent colleges and universities with support for strategic investments in programs, scholarships and education. The Independent College Fund of New Jersey partners with the corporate and philanthropic communities to support its 14 member institutions.
Vision
To serve as an essential advocate in promoting wider understanding of and support for independent higher education in New Jersey through the cultivation and maintenance of relationships with members of the corporate and foundation communities.
To emphasize unrestricted giving while presenting corporate donors with opportunities to make “business compatible contributions.” To identify and monitor trends in corporate philanthropy and recommend to our Board appropriate actions to benefit from these realities on behalf of independent higher education.
To provide opportunities for our member college and universities to enhance quality, access and affordability and fulfill their respective missions.
Membership
An association of 14 regionally accredited, independent, non-profit, four-year degree granting college and universities in the State of New Jersey.
Distribution of Funds
Since its first allocation in 1954, ICFNJ has raised and distributed more than $66 million in support of its member institutions. Contributions to ICFNJ are used to supplement the operating budgets of the member institutions and are distributed using a formula established by the member institutions. Unrestricted money is distributed 60 percent equally, 40 percent by enrollment. A donor can also designate a gift specifically to one or a combination of members, though it is the unrestricted gift which benefits the entire independent educational community.