Our Mission

Opportunity Changes Everything

Every scholarship awarded, every degree earned, and every future transformed begins with opportunity.

For more than 70 years, the Iowa College Foundation (ICF) has connected philanthropy with student success. As the statewide partner for Iowa’s 21 independent colleges and universities, ICF brings together donors, businesses, foundations, and communities to expand access to higher education and create opportunities for students across Iowa.

The colleges and universities ICF supports play a vital role in developing Iowa’s future workforce and leaders. Through personalized learning environments and a strong liberal arts foundation, students gain the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, adaptability, and leadership abilities needed to succeed in their careers, serve their communities, and navigate a changing world. These institutions also preserve educational choice, ensuring students can find the college experience that best fits their goals and aspirations.

Through scholarships, donor-directed giving, and collaborative initiatives, ICF helps remove financial barriers and strengthen the institutions that make these opportunities possible. Every gift helps students pursue their education, supports Iowa’s independent colleges and universities, and invests in the leaders, innovators, educators, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs who will shape Iowa’s future.

Together, we’re expanding opportunity, preserving choice, and strengthening Iowa.
                                        

How ICF Creates Impact

Supporting Students Across Iowa

ICF’s collaborative statewide model connects colleges, donors, businesses, and communities to expand educational opportunity and strengthen Iowa’s future workforce.

Scholarships & Student Support

ICF helps provide scholarship support that expands access to independent higher education and reduces financial barriers for Iowa students.

Business & Community Partnerships

ICF partners with businesses and community leaders across Iowa to strengthen workforce development and support student success statewide.

Statewide Collaboration

Through a unique statewide network, ICF brings independent colleges together to maximize impact, strengthen relationships, and support Iowa communities.

Invest in Iowa’s Future

Your Support Matters

Every contribution helps strengthen independent higher education, expand opportunities for students, and support the future leaders of Iowa communities and industries.

Why Give Through ICF

A Trusted Partner 

Statewide Reach

Supporting students and colleges across Iowa through one collaborative statewide network.

Direct Student Impact

Campaign support helps provide student scholarships and unrestricted support for member institutions.

Workforce Development

ICF member colleges educate future leaders in Iowa’s most important industries and communities.

Collaborative Model

ICF is the only nonprofit organization in Iowa uniting independent colleges through a shared statewide fundraising effort.

Business Engagement

ICF connects businesses and communities with opportunities to invest in Iowa students and workforce development.

Long-Term Community Impact

Supporting independent higher education strengthens communities, economic growth, and Iowa’s future.

Maximizing Donor Impact

Why Donors Support ICF

Key Reasons Donors Give

  • Support students across Iowa through one statewide organization
  • Strengthen independent colleges and universities serving Iowa communities
  • Invest in workforce development and future industry leaders
  • Build partnerships that connect businesses, communities, and higher education
  • Help remove financial barriers for students pursuing higher education
  • Support a collaborative model creating statewide impact

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

ICF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 that supports 21 independent colleges and universities in Iowa. For more than 70 years, we have connected generous donors and businesses with these outstanding institutions to make high-quality private higher education more affordable and accessible while strengthening Iowa’s future workforce.

ICF supports a statewide network of 21 independent liberal arts colleges and universities in  Iowa. These institutions collectively educate thousands of students preparing to lead in healthcare, business, education, agriculture, technology, and other critical industries across the state.

An independent liberal arts college or university provides students with a broad-based education designed to strengthen critical thinking, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills across a wide range of disciplines.

These institutions are accredited, nonprofit, four-year colleges and universities governed by private boards, whose educational mission includes the liberal arts and sciences as a central and integrating component of their academic and professional programs.

Giving through ICF amplifies your impact across Iowa. A single gift can support students and programs at all member colleges, creating broader access and a stronger statewide talent pipeline. ICF provides an efficient, coordinated way to give while still allowing you to direct funds toward your priorities.

ICF supports students by expanding access to independent higher education opportunities across Iowa through scholarships, statewide partnerships, and donor engagement initiatives. ICF works with donors, businesses, foundations, and community leaders to raise unrestricted support that strengthens member colleges and scholarship funding that helps reduce the financial burden of higher education for students. By investing in Iowa’s independent colleges and universities, ICF helps prepare future leaders while strengthening Iowa’s workforce and communities.