What is the Missouri Colleges Fund?
- The Missouri Colleges Fund is a consortium of independent liberal arts colleges and universities in Missouri. All sixteen member institutions are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Why Invest in Missouri’s Independent Colleges?
- Because our member institutions:
- Educate more than 70,000 students each year,
- Enroll 41% of the state’s undergraduate students, yet produce 65% of the college graduates while receiving just 3.5% state student financial aid funds,
- Award more bachelor’s degrees to minorities and first-generation students than public institutions, and
- Serve a greater percentage of low-income students than public institutions.
What are the different ways I can give?
- Donors can give unrestricted gifts which are equally used by all member institutions to provide need-based financial aid for students. Donors can also designate their gifts to various programs:
- The Teachers First Scholars – students who are planning on returning to the classroom to teach.
- The STEM Scholars Program – students who are seeking degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math.
- The First Opportunity Scholars Program – students who are first generation, minority, low-income, underserved, Native American, or a new citizen.
- The College Access and Retention Program – students who are “at risk” of not staying in school due to low-income, minority status, and/or low test scores.
Can I give to a specific institution or student?
- Donors can designate their gift to specific member schools. Recipients of these scholarship gifts are selected by the member institutions only.
What are the benefits of supporting the Missouri Colleges Fund?
- There are many benefits of supporting MCF:
- The MCF provides you the opportunity to contribute to 18 different colleges and universities by writing just one check. You can also designate your gift in whatever way you think best.
- MCF generates corporate visibility and branding opportunities where desired.
- MCF establishes and administers scholarships and other programs.
- MCF provides the corporate community with an opportunity to interact with and have input to the independent higher education community.
How are donations distributed among institutions?
- All undesignated gifts are distributed equally to all member institutions. Designated gifts are distributed as directed by the donor.
Does the Missouri Colleges Fund have a National Association?
- The Missouri Colleges Fund is affiliated with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), which is national partner in a network of member state and regional associations that represents more than 650 private colleges and universities.
How does my contribution benefit Missouri businesses?
- The strength and depth of the state’s workforce has fueled Missouri’s economic expansion. Independent institutions have trained many of these highly-skilled employees. While enrolling just 41 percent of the state’s college students, MCF member schools graduate:
- 30 percent of the business majors.
- 34 percent of the engineering majors.
- 30 percent of nursing majors.
- 34 percent of the physical science majors.
- 32 percent of education majors.