LAICU awarded Capacity-Building Grant from Council of Independent Colleges

Baton Rouge, LA – April 22, 2022 – The Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU) has received a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) for $5,000 to fund a resource-development initiative for scholarship fundraising supporting students attending the nonprofit, private colleges and universities in Louisiana.

The grant is to the Louisiana Independent College Fund (LICF), the division of LAICU that provides student scholarship aid and enrichment programs. LAICU/LICF is a statewide organization that serves 10 colleges and universities through funding for student scholarships and innovative projects that enhance campus programs, improve student outcomes, and encourage corporate investments in students and institutions.

“We are grateful for the leadership and generosity of the Council of Independent Colleges for selecting the Louisiana Independent College Fund (LICF) to be awarded this capacity building grant once again.” said Dr. Kenya Messer, President & CEO of LAICU and Executive Director of LICF. “LAICU/LICF will use the grant to support the LAICU/LICF Strategic Capacity Building Initiative (SCBI), to further strengthen LAICU/LICF’s case for donor support, provide much needed resources to extensively communicate our goals and promote the value and impact that private nonprofit colleges and universities add to the higher education landscape in Louisiana. Given the challenges that we have faced in Louisiana through COVID 19 and devastating weather events, now more than ever, the support is needed and sincerely appreciated.”

The cash award is part of CIC‘s Capacity-Building Grants Program designed to help State Councils acquire expertise and resources needed to advance the needs of private higher education. The grants provide funds for materials, consultants, software, and research that will lead to better fundraising outcomes.

The Strategic Capacity Building Initiative (SCBI) provides the foundation that LAICU/LICF communicates the impact Louisiana’s private nonprofit colleges and universities make and illustrates how our institutions provide access and opportunity to transform lives. Specifically, the SCBI enables LAICU/LICF to leverage our “story” and encourage greater partnership and support for our institutions. This most recent CIC Capacity Building Grant enables LICF to launch phase II of the SCBI which will be to engage in person a large audience of our potential supporters. LAICU hosted the inaugural LAICU Day at the Capitol on April 7, 2022, in the Memorial Hall Rotunda of the Louisiana State Capitol. Leadership and representatives from our campuses were at the event to highlight their institutions and share their stories and the event provided the member institutions an opportunity to deepen their cases for support by showcasing LA private higher education, their contributions, and the impact that our sector makes across the state, region, and nation 

About the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Louisiana Independent College Fund

The Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU) is a statewide nonprofit association which represents Louisiana’s 10 regionally accredited nonprofit private colleges and universities: Centenary College, Dillard University, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Louisiana Christian University, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Saint Joseph Seminary College, Tulane University, University of Holy Cross, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Over 28,000 students are served by Louisiana nonprofit private higher education. LAICU colleges and universities grow Louisiana by keeping Louisiana students in-state and also by attracting talent to the state. Visit www.LAICU.org

The Louisiana Independent College Fund (LICF) is the division of LAICU that provides student scholarship aid and enrichment programs. The LICF Board of Directors is made up of presidents from LAICU member colleges and universities. LICF provides scholarships to support student access and choice to the nonprofit, private colleges, and universities in Louisiana.

About the Council of Independent Colleges

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of 770 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates, which works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on services to leaders of independent colleges and universities and state-based councils. CIC offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility. It conducts the largest annual conferences of college and university presidents and of chief academic officers. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.cic.edu