The mission of The Albert Baker Fund (ABF) is to serve the Cause of Christian Science and mankind by providing resources for the education and development of Christian Scientists.

Our Faith

Christian Science was discovered by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866. In 1879, she organized her followers into a church designed to “commemorate the word and works of our Master [Christ Jesus] and reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” Since then, Christian Science has spread around the world and healed millions of people. The official Pastor of our church is the Holy Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Learn more about Christian Science.

ABF’s History

The Albert Baker Fund was started in 1964 by Christian Scientists living in the United States. They created a fund that provided low-cost loans for American students attending university. Each student was expected to repay the loan over ten years, replenishing the fund for future generations. The founders named the fund after Albert Baker, the elder brother of Mary Baker Eddy, and he is credited with tutoring her and shepherding her education.

In 1998, ABF began making loans to fund students taking Christian Science nursing training. In 2005, ABF expanded its programs by adding grants to students in the U.S. and Canada. In 2004, we expanded our grants program to Africa and Europe. In the coming years, we hope to expand our grants program to reach around the globe.

Our Programs

In Africa, we provide grants to university and vocational students living in the following countries:

• Benin
• Burundi – no longer accepting applications
• Cameroon
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Republic of the Congo
• Rwanda
• Tanzania – no longer accepting applications
• Togo
• Uganda
• Zambia

We fund students only to study in their home country. Please see our tab Apply” with the subheading “Overview” and “What You Need to Know Before You Apply” for a list of our policies in Africa.

Our Impact

During the past 50 years, ABF has provided more than $10 million in loans and $3 million in grants to thousands of students. In Africa, we have provided grants to thousands of Christian Science college and vocational students. We view our grants as investments in the future of the Christian Science Movement. We encourage each of our recipients in all countries to “pass their blessings forward” by contributing in whatever they can to enrich their families, communities, churches, the Christian Science movement, and the world. Click here for stories of gratitude.