The NICF has transitioned into the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) with a rebranded identity, revised strategic priorities, a re-tooled programming plan and a focus on collaborating to enhance and preserve the fraternity/sorority experience for members to come.
Learn more at foundationfe.org.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is an endorsed, trademarked brand of the North American Interfraternity Conference. Endorsed brands are independent sub-brands supported by the master brand (NIC). This relationship is vital because, while Interfraternity Councils are an important part of the NIC and benefits from its association to the NIC, there are situations where they need to be their own brand.
The IFC logo exists in multiple formats for ease of use across many mediums. Additionally, it can be customized for individual campuses. While you should always use the preferred format, when layouts demand an alternate approach, the following are approved versions.
Interfraternity Council/IFC logos are available for use in materials by your IFC. Request logo from the NIC communication team. NOTE: To produce merchandise or apparel, you will need to purchase through a licensed vendor available below.
Vertical (centered) format with IFC Compass/Torch and Logotype.
Horizontal (left aligned) format with IFC Compass/Torch and Logotype.
Horizontal (left aligned) format with IFC Compass/Torch and “IFC”.
To request customized IFC logos for your campus, contact your NIC Vice President of Campus Operations.
The IFC logo has been designed for optimal performance. Avoid modifying any element of the logo and use only as provided.
The Logotype has been designed with ideal kerning and leading (spacing). Always use the logo mark and typography lockups provided.
The IFC identity materials or stationary may consist of business cards, letterhead, envelopes, and personalized notecards. For template or guidance, contact the NIC communication team.
Our licensing program protects our trademarks. Our goal is to license only vendors producing quality NIC/IFC merchandise and providing excellent customer service. Those vendors that we have given permission to utilize our marks are called licensed vendors. When you purchase products from licensed vendors, you are supporting NIC/IFC and our licensing program and protecting the history and values of our organization.
All merchandise must be purchased through NIC licensed vendors for a complete list visit: WWW.GREEKLICENSING.COM
Questions related to licensed vendors or merchandise contact the NIC communication team.
We have made it easy for you to find a wide assortment of apparel and merchandise through one trusted site. Shop for IFC Gear at: WWW.IFCGEAR.COM
The Alliance Partner application is managed through FS Central. If this is your first time logging into FS Central, you may need to complete your profile in the process of completing the application.
Is your business or organization interested in the fraternal market? The North American Interfraternity Conference and Foundation for Fraternal Excellence have a wide variety of partnership opportunities available. If you answer YES to any of the following, our Alliance Partner opportunities may be a great fit for your business goals. Do you:
You are eligible to become an Alliance Partner if:
If you’re interested in becoming an Alliance Partner, use the button below to view the Alliance Partner Guide and application for either first-time partnership or partnership renewal. For more information about partnership opportunities for both the NIC and FFE, contact FFE Executive Director Will Foran at will.foran@foundationfe.org.
The Alliance Partner Guide includes partner benefits and costs by level for the 2025-26 year.
The FFE and NIC work together to preserve the fraternity and sorority experience and invest in industry-wide initiatives that advance research and educational-based needs for students, higher education partners and interfraternal organizations. Because of this important collaboration, we created Alliance Partner categories that give partners the opportunity to engage with both organizations at the highest possible level.
The mission of an Interfraternity Council (IFC) is to foster a healthy and vibrant fraternity community. The IFC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) provide structure and support—a baseline for policies and practices—for IFCs to operate in accordance with NIC Standards, endorsed by all inter/national member fraternities of the NIC.
Implementing the Standard Operating Procedures will help an IFC anticipate and address critical operational needs, while serving its member chapters and advocating for the fraternity experience.
IFCs should aim to align with the IFC SOP — first ensuring that baseline, Level 1 expectations are achieved, then focusing on higher-level, aspirational operations. For assistance, please contact your VP of Campus Support.
Watching April 2024 webinar on IFC SOPs.
Peer governance is critical to fostering shared community standards, and the new IFC Insurance Program removes some of the barriers, putting students back in charge of setting and maintaining expectations. The NIC’s IFC Insurance Program covers officers, alumni and volunteers for most IFC-hosted programs and events, including peer monitoring, Greek Week, Homecoming activities, recruitment and philanthropic endeavors to name a few.
In many cases, the IFC and its officers, alumni advisors and volunteers are not covered by the university. If there was a claim filed against the IFC due to the operations or event hosted and sponsored by the IFC, the IFC and/or its officers have the potential to be brought into a lawsuit. The IFC Insurance Program includes general liability insurance, commercial crime insurance, and protection for directors and officers. The program is even flexible enough to add the host institution (including the fraternity/sorority advisor) as an Additional Insured to provide an extra layer of protection for our trusted campus partners.
Further, when purchasing insurance independently, IFCs can pay almost $6,000 for council coverage and more than $2,600 (and often much higher) for stand-alone event coverage. The NIC’s IFC Insurance Program offers immediate savings, as pricing is tiered based on the number of IFC chapters.
IFC DUES & CAMPUS SUPPORT INFORMATION
Ashley A. Dye
Senior Assistant Dean of Students, Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
We’ve Got You Covered: About NIC’s IFC Insurance is a recording of a recent webinar to help attendees answer questions and understand IFC liability and why your IFC needs insurance. View the recording.
There are risks that IFCs don’t currently see, and when an organization holds events, hosts people, and sets policies, there can be legal and liability exposure that requires insurance to offset what could be large issues.
For example, on one campus an IFC and its President were brought into a lawsuit filed by a property owner against fraternities with houses alleging the fraternities created a public nuisance. In another incident, an IFC held a flag football tournament at which a participant was injured and sought recovery of his out-of-pocket expenses from the IFC.
The IFC Insurance Program provides insurance for claims arising out of IFC operations and hosted events. If an IFC does not have proper insurance coverage in place, an IFC officer may be held personally liable should an incident occur.
The NIC has established a program providing broad coverage that is customized for the specific needs of an IFC. It provides a level of coverage not available in the open insurance market. In addition, the NIC’s insurance program is a more cost effective option. An IFC could pay up to three times more to secure its own insurance policy.
In most cases, IFCs are unincorporated associations. Officers of an unincorporated association can be held personally liable for any negligent act or omission of an unincorporated association. Being an officer increases your exposure to being named in a lawsuit. If your IFC does not have insurance and a claim is brought against an IFC officer, this likely would result in a parent’s homeowner’s policy being called upon to provide a defense and indemnification of a liability claim. The NIC’s IFC Insurance Program will provide officers and volunteers the needed coverage should an injury occur during an IFC event or activity.
Yes, to be eligible for the IFC Insurance Program you do have to pay IFC dues with NIC (due Sept. 1). This is a good thing—the NIC provides support, coaching and resources. Learn more.
Yes, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) provides liability insurance coverage for Panhellenic Councils. The NPHC has explored doing the same but does not currently have an insurance program.
The IFC Insurance Program covers the IFC for its events and activities. In addition, the policies extend coverage for officers and individuals volunteering on behalf of the IFC. It is important to note that coverage only extends to them while in the course and scope of their volunteer work on behalf of the IFC.
Probably not. You can confirm this by asking your college or university’s Risk Management Department. The IFC is definitely not covered under any member fraternity’s insurance program. If your host institution advises you that you are covered under the University’s liability insurance program, we recommend you request confirmation of the same in writing. The letter should clearly state that the IFC, its officers and volunteers would be considered an Insured while they are acting on behalf of the IFC and are protected on a primary basis. You should ask that this letter come from the University’s Risk Management Department or General Counsel. Also clarify if there are any limitations regarding the types of events you can hold and the process for adding Additional Insureds if required by third parties.
It is very important you retain the letter from the University once you receive one. The NIC should be copied on the letter for our records. If the university will not provide this to you in writing, we recommend you consider yourselves not covered by the University and join the NIC’s program. Under the NIC’s IFC insurance program all activities with the exception of just a few (see special events section) are covered. Including participant liability should you host an athletic event like a volleyball, basketball and flag football tournament. Plus, adding an Additional Insured is easy and inexpensive.
No, your chapter’s liability insurance does not cover the activities hosted by the IFC you serve. The insurance program offered through your Fraternity only provides protection for the chapter and its operations.
If there was a claim filed against the IFC due to operations or an event hosted and sponsored by the IFC, the IFC has the potential to be brought into a lawsuit. Insurance coverage aids in situations resulting from activities covered within the scope of the policy, like Greek Week, Homecoming events and philanthropic endeavors, just to name a few.
Depending on their relationship to the IFC and what activity caused the injury, they could be covered under the Medical Payments portion of the General Liability policy regardless of fault. If Medical Payments does not apply, the IFC would be legally liable for the injury sustained.
The campus professional’s work with the fraternity/sorority community is a part of their job duties for the university or college that employees them. They would be covered under the university or college’s liability policy if they are alleged to have acted in a negligent manner or failed to act resulting in an injury to a third party.
However, your university or college can be named to the IFC Insurance Program policy as an Additional Insured. This would extend coverage to the university and its employees for potential vicarious liability from IFC-sponsored activities they may be exposed to. For additional information on adding an Additional Insured to your IFC’s policy, Lauren Owens, Placement Account Manager, Holmes Murphy, lowens@holmesmurphy.com 402-898-4171.
Yes, if someone wishes to volunteer and participate in a Peer Monitoring program, they would be covered under the IFC’s liability insurance policy. This would include any person—as they would be considered an IFC volunteer—no matter their other campus involvement or affiliations, including sorority women. The definition of “Who is Insured” within the policy includes volunteers while in the course and scope of their duties for the Named Insured.
First, learn about paying your IFC dues and the levels of Campus Support you can choose from. Then submit the online form to paying your dues. On the form, you will be able to choose your level of support as well as indicate that you would like to participate in the IFC Insurance Program. Once the form is submitted, you will receive an invoice for the IFC Insurance Program. After the NIC has received payment, you will receive your certificate of insurance.
Yes, coverage extends to an IFC Alumni Council should one exist. Like the IFC, the Alumni IFC’s officers and volunteers are considered an insured under the policy while in the course and scope of their duties on behalf of the Alumni IFC.
For the 2019-2020 academic year, to get this program up and running, we are focused on IFC coverage. So for this initial year, coverage will not extend to other councils, however, we will revisit this in the future. It also will not extend to cover the operations of fraternity chapters. It only covers the IFC and individuals serving the IFC whether that be as an officer or a volunteer but only for alleged negligence that occurs in the course and scope of their volunteer work on behalf of the IFC.
Landmark American Insurance Company: General Liability
Each Occurrence: $1,000,000
General Aggregate: $2,000,000 per location
Medical Payments: $5,000
AM Best Rating: A+ (Excellent) XIV ($1.5B to 2B)
Zurich North America: Commercial Crime
Aggregate: $25,000
AM Best Rating: A+ (Excellent) XV ($2B or greater)
RSUI Indemnity: Directors & Officers
Aggregate: $1,000,000
AM Best Rating: A+ (Excellent) XIV ($1.5B to $2B)
If your IFC is seeking independent insurance coverage either with your university or separately, we recommend at least these levels of coverage.
The NIC’s IFC Insurance Program provides General Liability, Commercial Crime and D&O Liability insurance.
General Liability:
Provides coverage, for the most part, to claims of bodily injury, property damage and personal injury arising out of the IFC’s liability associated with its operations and activities.
Commercial Crime:
Provides coverage for claims arising out of criminal acts, typically involving the theft of IFC funds.
Directors & Officers Liability:
Offers directors and officers protection from a wide variety of claims such as third-party discrimination and allegations that an officer failed to fulfill his/her fiduciary duties to the organization.
Automatically Included*:
* Please note the events in this list will be excluded if they included features in the lists below
Events Requiring Prior Approval from the NIC:
Excluded:
You will need to complete a Special Event checklist and submit it to the NIC for referral to our insurance partners for approval. In addition to the Special Event checklist, include any contracts executed or proposed with vendors or venues that will be utilized. Also include proof that any vendor hired has appropriate lines of insurance coverage and acceptable limits of liability.
No, the IFC insurance program does not provide any coverage for property owned by an IFC. If you need this coverage, it is available through our broker, Holmes Murphy & Associates.
Pricing is based on how many fraternity chapters you have in your IFC. This pricing is cost-saving. When purchasing insurance independently, IFCs can pay almost $6,000 for council coverage and more than $2,600 (and often much higher) for stand-alone event coverage.
| TIERS | # OF IFC CHAPTERS | PREMIUM |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 1-3 | $618.00 |
| Tier 2 | 4-6 | $782.80 |
| Tier 3 | 7-9 | $1,442.00 |
| Tier 4 | 10-12 | $2,008.50 |
| Tier 5 | 13-15 | $2,291.75 |
| Tier 6 | 16-20 | $2,575.00 |
| Tier 7 | 21-25 | $3,244.50 |
| Tier 8 | 26+ | $3,914.00 |
These phrases have been used to describe the fraternity leaders honored with the NIC Undergraduate Award of Distinction. But these traits should not only apply to award winners. These are the characteristics interfraternal leaders need to make a positive difference in their communities, and the campus Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the group who should convene such leaders.
An IFC exists where there are two or more NIC member (or non-member) fraternities on a campus. The Council’s purpose is to advance fraternity on campus and provide interfraternal leadership to the entire community. The NIC provides direct support, resources and services to IFC officers, representatives, advisors and alumni to further the health and success of local fraternity communities.
We, the Interfraternity Council, exist to promote the shared interests and values of our member fraternities: leadership, service, brotherhood and scholarship. We believe in Fraternity and that the shared values of Fraternity drive the IFC to create better communities, better chapters and better men.
We work to advance the academic mission of the host institution, to enable fraternal organizations to grow and thrive through collaboration and teamwork, to provide an outlet for self-governance and accountability, and to model and teach ethical leadership. In a spirit of mutual support and betterment, we, the men of the Interfraternity Council, pledge to elevate the Ritual and the values of the member organizations.
By September 1, 2019, NIC member organizations will evaluate their documents to determine if they are consistent with the following guidelines. As autonomous and self-governing entities, member organizations have the latitude to codify these guidelines in a way that is consistent with their organization’s nomenclature, operations, programming, etc. Member organizations are responsible for enforcing their own policies; the NIC does not play a role in policy enforcement.
In any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter/organization, including those that occur on or off organizational/chapter premises:
The North American Interfraternity Conference annually recognizes excellence in the fraternal experience by conferring Awards of Distinction to individuals and groups who exemplify leadership, service and fraternal values. These honors play a significant role in the advancement of the NIC mission and vision, as well as the industry as a whole. Recognizing the value and impact of individual and group efforts on college/university campuses and within interfraternal organizations conveys the importance of innovation, courage and commitment to a positive fraternal experience.
The NIC is proud to continue our tradition of recognizing excellence in the fraternal experience. The Awards of Distinction program plays a significant role in the advancement of the NIC vision and community impact, as well as the industry as a whole. Taking time to nominate and recognize individual and group efforts on college/university campuses, and within interfraternal organizations, helps emphasize the value and impact of a positive fraternal experience.
We’re grateful for all fraternity advocates who help us recognize individuals and programs making a difference!
The NIC Awards of Distinction program has three categories that recognize outstanding fraternity men, chapters, supporters and initiatives.
In 2022 the NIC expanded our awards program. The IFC Awards Program recognizes Interfraternity Councils and campus-specific roles for their work to advance fraternity.
Please direct any questions about the awards process to awards@nicfraternity.org.
The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is a trade association that represents national and international men’s fraternities, including a diverse range of culturally and religious-based organizations, on campuses in the United States and Canada. The NIC is committed to supporting opportunities for young men to seek and form positive, enriching fraternal bonds. The health and safety of students guides our advocacy, standards and education.
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