The Minnesota Private College Council and its affiliate, the Minnesota Private College Fund, represent private nonprofit higher education in Minnesota. Eighteen institutions are members; they share a liberal arts focus. We refer to our members as Minnesota Private Colleges.

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. To that end the Council’s mission is to serve members' shared needs and advocate for public policy that:

• Meets the educational needs of students
• Enhances private higher education
• Strengthens Minnesota's economic and civic fabric

The State Grant program is a primary focus of our advocacy efforts. We also serve our members and the state in other ways, including through research, publications and outreach.

The Council is a 501(c)(4) organization.

Created as a separate organization in 1951 when a group of state business leaders came together to begin a $250,000 fundraising drive for private colleges, the Minnesota Private College Fund serves member colleges primarily by raising funds for student scholarships and the colleges’ operations. The Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.