Mission Focused – Student Driven

The mission of the Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey, a New Jersey Non-Profit Corporation, is to advance the interests of New Jersey’s independent, non-profit, public mission institutions of higher education by promoting access, affordability and student success through public policy advocacy, corporate and individual philanthropy, and empowering the choice of the best fit for each student’s academic journey, cultural engagement, and environmental surroundings. Our 13 member institutions perform a vital service for the state by giving more than 61,000 students access to diverse educational opportunities while maintaining class sizes that promote better student access to faculty. The independent colleges also make a significant economic impact through research, community development and relevant degrees programs that meet New Jersey’s workforce needs.

Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (ICUNJ) became a merged organization in summer 2021 bringing together the resources of the Association of Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (AICUNJ) and the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ) to build new synergies and to more effectively advocate on behalf of the students who are served by independent colleges and universities in New Jersey. The ICUNJ Board is comprised of the 13 independent university presidents plus four executives from the New Jersey corporate community. The organization is also supported by 28 corporate leaders from across the state of New Jersey who serve as a Board of Advisors. 

ICFNJ was founded in 1953 as a cooperative effort involving business and academic leaders of New Jersey to broaden financial support for and awareness of independent higher education. AICUNJ was founded in 1966 to collectively represent the individual colleges and universities of New Jersey at the state legislature. Our mission remains: to build support and awareness of independent higher education.

National Affiliations

ICFNJ is affiliated with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the national partner in a network of state and regional funds whose aim is to broaden corporate and philanthropic support of independent higher education.

ICUNJ is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. NAICU is the only national organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, D.C.

As one of the six major presidential higher education associations, NAICU’s institutional membership is comprised of presidents from accredited private, nonprofit colleges and universities.

Nonprofit Status 

As a tax-exempt, nonprofit New Jersey corporation, it has been ruled a 501(c)3 organization and all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by federal law.

The Original Sister Organizations