Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) is a Harrisburg-based membership organization serving independent, nonprofit higher education in Pennsylvania. Its work includes advocacy, research, communications, and business-efficiency programs for member institutions; its philanthropy programs also channel support to those institutions and their students. The IRS filing identifies it as a public charity.
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania at a glance
In short: Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania gave $237K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $237K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $237,000
- +9.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $237,000
- +9.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $237,000
- Total assets
- $5,294,639
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania
- Contact
Mailing address: 101 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 232-8649
Website: https://aicup.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was NCFTA ($237K).
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 7 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AICUP serves independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Its website says its membership includes more than 90 institutions across the Commonwealth.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $93K (2019) to $291K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $237K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NCFTA Pittsburgh, PA | — | $237,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,294,639 | $2,595,089 | $2,593,029 | $237,000 | 1 | $269,301 |
| 2024 | $5,402,144 | $2,530,301 | $2,358,658 | $216,000 | 1 | $227,651 |
| 2023 | $5,109,175 | $2,381,913 | $2,297,562 | $290,667 | 1 | $102,722 |
| 2022 | $5,036,454 | $2,357,742 | $2,271,480 | $282,369 | 2 | $97,491 |
| 2021 | $5,143,569 | $2,787,860 | $2,388,595 | $203,214 | 2 | $73,198 |
| 2020 | $4,451,114 | $2,421,483 | $2,456,983 | $246,000 | Total only | $74,301 |
| 2019 | $4,134,097 | $2,665,204 | $2,574,253 | $93,050 | 13 | $83,580 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AICUP’s website says its mission is to educate policymakers, media representatives, and civic and corporate leaders about the benefits and quality of Pennsylvania’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities, with the goal of securing government and philanthropic support for students and institutions. It also works to create partnerships among member institutions to enhance programs and reduce costs. Its 2023 filing describes additional aims that include promoting independent higher education, expanding educational opportunity, encouraging corporate and other giving, and advancing understanding through research, publication, and teaching.
The organization’s activities include advocacy on public policy and student aid, research on higher education, and programs intended to help member institutions realize savings through economies of scale. Its philanthropy page describes unrestricted support and institutional grants for member institutions’ projects, as well as scholarships and awards for students.
Grantmaking
The IRS filing data lists zero grants for each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. Separately, the filing data records grants to Pennsylvania colleges in 2019, including $11,300 to Misericordia University, $9,650 to Robert Morris University, and $7,150 each to Gannon University and Saint Francis University. Other listed 2019 recipients include Saint Joseph’s University, Susquehanna University, Wilson College, and Lebanon Valley College, each receiving $5,500. These are examples of reported awards, not a stated total or complete grant list.
AICUP’s scholarship opportunities are for undergraduate students at member colleges, with applications handled through member institutions’ financial-aid offices rather than submitted directly to AICUP. These scholarships are student support, not grants to outside applicants. The listed scholarship cycle calls for applications to be sent to member financial-aid departments in March, selected applications to be due to AICUP in June, and notifications in late July; the page does not identify a year for that schedule.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara Altmann as chair; Douglas Lee as vice-chair; and Elizabeth Meade as secretary/treasurer. It also lists Kent Trachte and Fr Paul Taylor for government relations; James MacLaren for the research committee; Daniel J Myers for member services; Brian Keech for research universities; and Jaquelyn Fetrow and Mary Finger as NAICU liaisons.
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania is led by Thomas P. Foley, President on every filing since 2019; 4 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas P. Foley
President
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$137K (2019) → $346K (2025)
Barbara Altmann
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Green
Chair Emieri
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
Chair → Chair Emieri, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wesley R. Fugate
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Prisco
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Domes
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Murray
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ellen Caro
Director
Research Cmt → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl McConnell
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Helble
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Getz
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Humphrey
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John E. Jones III
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Marina
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robyn Hannigan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nichole Duffy
Vice President Gvt Relat
Vice President - Govt Re → Vice President - Gvt Relations, 2020
Vice President - Gvt Relations → Vice President Gvt Relat, 2021
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $162K (2025)
Ron Uroda
Vice President Research
Vice President - Researc → Vice President - Research, 2020
Vice President - Research → Vice President Research, 2021
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$127K (2019) → $138K (2025)
Timothy C. Alexander
Vice President Finance & Administrator
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$153K (2022) → $171K (2025)
Brian Keech
Research Uni
Research Uni → Research Univ Liason, 2020
Research Univ Liason → Research Uni, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kent C. Trachte
Govt Reltns
Past Chair → Gov't Relati, 2023
Gov't Relati → Govt Reltns, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary C. Finger
Naicu Liaiso
Director → Naicu Liaiso, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaquelyn Fetrow
Naicu Liaiso
Director → Naicu Liaiso, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Meade
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Taylor
Govt Reltns
Director → Govt Reltns, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Lee
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cale Nelson
Vice President Finance & Administrator
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Daniel J. Myers
Member Srvs Com
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Maclaren
Research Com
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (34)
- Former: Sr Mary Persico (2020–2024) — Chair Emieri
- Former: Kathy B. Richardson (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Ronald A. Matthews (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Greenfield (2023–2024) — Member Serv Cmt
- Former: Bryon Grigsby (2020–2023) — Naicu Liaiso
- Former: Pamela Gunter-Smith (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Calvin Troup (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Greg Cant (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Troha (2023) — Chair Emieri
- Former: Doug Lee (2019–2022) — Collab Cmte
- Former: James A. Troha (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Jonathan Peri (2019–2022) — Research Cmt
- Former: David Finegold (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: S. Brock Blomberg (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Alison R. Byerly (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Donald B. Taylor (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: John I. Williams (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark C. Reed (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Suzanne K. Mellon (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Tim Alexander (2019–2021) — Vice President Finance & Administrator
- Former: Maria Gallo (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James Greenfield (2021) — Director
- Former: Barbara K. Mistick (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Colleen M. Hanycz (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lewis E. Thayne (2019–2020) — Naicu Liasons
- Former: Mark Volk (2019–2020) — Collaboration Committee Chair
- Former: Paul J. McNulty (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Sr Maureen McGarrity (2019–2020) — Research Committee Chair
- Former: Thomas J. Botzman (2019–2020) — Naicu Liasons
- Former: Byron L. Grigsby (2019) — Director
- Former: Don L. Francis (2019) — Former President
- Former: Malachi Van Tassell (2019) — Collab Committee
- Former: Patrick Leahy (2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sbrock Blomberg (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $346K, to Thomas P Foley (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania
How much does Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania give each year?
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania gave $237K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $216K across 1 grant.
How large is Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania?
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania fund?
AICUP’s website says its mission is to educate policymakers, media representatives, and civic and corporate leaders about the benefits and quality of Pennsylvania’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities, with the goal of securing government and philanthropic support for students and institutions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania?
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check aicup.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania make grants?
AICUP serves independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Its website says its membership includes more than 90 institutions across the Commonwealth.
What is Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania's EIN?
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1666617. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 11, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 4, 2020)
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Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania down — hundreds of funders to go?