Most of the federal agencies that support postsecondary education use a quasifoundation model. The agencies that support educational activities can be divided into categories depending on the focus of the grants awarded: direct support to institutions, agencies with a mission, and special concerns. (MLW)

Charts compiled by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching show the pattern of support by foundations and how foundation support compares with support from the federal government. American foundations are seen as an important counterweight to government influence in higher education. (MLW)