Eric W. Fulcomer, WAICU President and CEO

At a time when higher education continues to face significant financial pressures and rapidly changing operational demands, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening Wisconsin’s private colleges through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose.

For more than two decades, WAICU’s collaborative services have helped our members save more than $286 million, resources that have been redirected to advancing student success, academic quality, and institutional sustainability.

At the heart of our collaborative model is the power of collective pricing. By leveraging the shared strength of our member institutions, WAICU can negotiate contracts that are uniquely tailored to their needs. These agreements deliver tangible benefits, allowing our members to save significantly on essential expenditures such as insurance, software, and commodities, while also gaining access to premium services at reduced costs. Importantly, these contracts are not one-size-fits-all. They are designed with the flexibility and diversity of our member campuses in mind.

Our programs address a wide range of core institutional needs, from academic excellence and operational efficiency to critical employee benefits. At the same time, WAICU’s portfolio has expanded to include revenue-generating opportunities that help institutions build new and sustainable income streams. These range from “low-hanging fruit” such as 5G leasing opportunities, to comprehensive strategic partnerships that provide long-term financial and operational support. Each initiative is guided by a single principle: helping our members save time and money so they can focus more fully on their educational missions as they prepare graduates for Wisconsin’s workforce.

Just as our members are diversifying their revenue sources, WAICU also has taken proactive steps to reduce reliance on member dues by developing our own alternative funding streams. Today, our diverse sources of support include sponsorships, philanthropic gifts and grants, interest from strategic investments, membership opportunities for colleges and universities outside Wisconsin, and our innovative Vendor Ally program, which deepens engagement with trusted partners in the higher education sector.

These efforts have paid off, literally. About half of WAICU’s total revenue now comes from these alternative sources, allowing us to continue delivering exceptional value without increasing the financial burden on our institutions. According to our most recent audit, more than eighty percent of our operating expenditure is reinvested directly into member programs and services, a reflection of our unwavering commitment to mission-driven stewardship.

The strength of WAICU lies in collaboration. Each contract signed, each dollar saved, and each new partnership formed is a testament to what we can achieve together. As we look ahead, WAICU will continue to innovate, advocate, and build programs that empower our member institutions to thrive in a dynamic higher education landscape.