While informal coordination among private colleges had been occurring for years, it was in 1948 that 14 institutions came together formally and founded the Minnesota Private College Council. Their intent was simple: to maintain the viability of a healthy private college sector in Minnesota.

A separate organization was created in 1951 - the Minnesota Private College Fund — when a group of business leaders from across the state came together to begin a $250,000 fundraising drive for private colleges.

The third key element — the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation — formed in 1971. It remains focused on supporting research and data for the common cause.

In 1987 the three nonprofit organizations moved to a central location and now operate with a common president, staff and board of directors. The Minnesota Private College Council, Fund and Research Foundation are separate legal organizations, but work in unison for the benefit of their members. (The name is frequently shortened to simply "the Minnesota Private College Council," with "Minnesota's Private Colleges" often used in marketing pieces.)

By state statute, the president of the organizations represents the private colleges on the Higher Education Advisory Council, the Higher Education Facilities Authority and by practice on a number of other statewide organizations, occasionally including the Governor's Education Cabinet.

The organizations' board is made up of 17 college presidents, 24 business and community leaders and the president of the organizations.