The Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) is the national office for a network of state-based private college fundraising associations in the United States. It was founded in 1958 as The Independent College Funds of America. In 2010 it merged into the Council of Independent Colleges. FIHE was created to support the work of the regional fundraising consortia to secure additional financial resources in support of America's independent colleges and universities and their students. FIHE today supports 32 state consortia through member services programs, professional development workshops, collaborative initiatives, and grant programs made possible by gifts from corporations as well as from its own endowment. Based in Washington, DC, FIHE has provided nearly $100 million in grants