Sponsorships

CIC’s Sponsor Experience

CIC greatly values our partnerships with sponsor organizations and the benefit they provide to member institutions. At CIC events, sponsors have opportunities for brand visibility and direct engagement with participants. Sponsors contribute to the atmosphere of CIC events and cultivate personal connections while explaining products or services, answering questions, and gathering feedback. There may be time for sponsors to network with other industry professionals and potential partners. CIC sponsor opportunities tend to sell out fast—especially for CIC’s signature events.

Sponsor from Aramark seated at booth speaking with participant
Two sponsors from Collegis speaking with a participant in front of their booth
Two sponsors from Harvest Table speak with a participant at their booth
Two sponsors from UQ Solutions speak with a participant at their booth
Session sign on an easel in front of a meeting room listing the sponsors for that session: BHDP and CapEd
Exhibit hall at the conference hotel with booths and displays
Sponsor from Gonser Gerber speaking with participant at his booth
Three sponsors standing with award received for long-time sponsorship with CIC
Three sponsors from Academic Search speak with a participant at their booth

Who Are CIC Members?

CIC is an association of more than 700 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates. CIC members include institutions with a distinctive mission (i.e., Religiously Affiliated, Hispanic Serving, Historically Black, Single Gender), institutions of varying enrollment size, and institutions with and without graduate programs, located throughout the United States and internationally.    

Learn more about CIC members.

CIC’s goal is to provide multiple opportunities for sponsors to network, connect face to face, and share their expertise with the leaders of CIC member colleges and universities.

CIC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and classified as a public charity under section 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. CIC accepts gifts and grants from corporations and foundations, sponsorships from businesses and other organizations, and gifts from individuals.

Benefits of Sponsorship

  • Increase Brand Recognition
  • Share Your Expertise: Tell Your Company Story
  • Network with Institutional Leaders
  • Get Exposure
  • Connect Directly with Key Decision Makers
  • Build Relationships with CIC Leadership
  • Host Your Own Affiliate Events at CIC Institutes
  • Receive Complimentary One-Year Subscription of CIC’s Solution Center*

*CIC’s Solution Center is a year-round virtual exhibit for the independent college sector. Here we are cataloguing vendors who provide services to member institutions. With this opportunity you will receive a courtesy subscription tier based on sponsorship level, an assignment of “sponsor” filter and tag, and a priority listing in searches. CIC shares information about listings regularly in communications to members, including marketing the Solution Center in CIC’s popular listservs.

Support Upcoming CIC Signature Events

Learn more about CIC’s signature events: the Institute for Chief Academic Officers is held every fall and the Presidents Institute is held annually in January.

To secure the sponsorship that’s right for your company, please contact Simone Smith, director of sponsorships, at simone.smith@cic.edu.

Other Avenues of Potential Support

CIC hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year. Here are some examples of sponsorship opportunities that CIC has offered:

To learn more about CIC sponsorship opportunities, please contact Simone Smith, director of sponsorships, at simone.smith@cic.edu.

CIC Sponsor Testimonials

“The Council of Independent Colleges does vital work for private colleges across the country. They play a pivotal role in supporting and equipping colleges to educate students with excellence and work strategically in an ever-shifting environment. Hyatt-Fennell is proud to partner with an organization that is giving such benefit to leaders at the heart of higher education.”

Cheryl Hyatt, CEO, Hyatt-Fennell, Executive Search Plus

“EAB has proudly supported CIC meetings for more than a decade and we are continually impressed by the valuable opportunities these conferences and the association provide. CIC events offer participants time to connect, collaborate, and tackle some of higher ed’s most pressing challenges, while also providing sponsors a meaningful platform to share thought leadership and research to further enrich the conversations taking place. We are honored to partner with CIC as we work together to support college and university leaders and the communities they serve.”

Dani Powell, Associate Director, Industry Relations & Event Strategy, EAB

“Sponsoring CIC events has proven to be one of the most strategic investments for Element451. The access to engaged, forward-thinking campus leaders in the CIC network has resulted in meaningful conversations, lasting partnerships, and a clear return on our investment. It’s more than brand visibility—it’s about building real connections with institutions aligned with our mission.”

Joshua Schwartz, Vice President of Marketing, Element451