About Us

Who We Are

The Independent College Fund (The I-Fund) was founded in 1953 to conduct annual solicitations of companies and foundations to benefit private colleges in Maryland. The I-Fund has worked to perpetuate the special values and characteristics of Maryland's private colleges and universities, strategically linking the corporate and philanthropic objective of business, industry and private foundations with the strengths and opportunities provided by a statewide network of 10 outstanding member colleges and universities.

Mission

To raise funds for I-Fund member institutions—principally from businesses and foundations—for programs, scholarships and technology, and to promote a greater awareness of the value of Maryland's independent liberal arts colleges and universities.

Our Vision

To teach the next generations of leaders to think critically and creatively; to impart an appropriate set of values; to expose them to the best of our past in literature, history, the arts and sciences; to teach them to communicate effectively, and to help them graduate with the skills essential to their chosen professions and a desire to continue learning throughout life.

Our Commitment

The I-Fund is committed to the value of productive alliances and recognizes that the challenges our state faces cannot be met, nor our opportunities fully realized, by one sector alone. We seek to develop partnerships with the private sector that thrive on the shared strength of participants.