The Albert Baker Fund is a nonprofit corporation that provides loans and grants to members of The Mother Church and its branch churches for college, graduate school, vocational school, and Christian Science nurses' training.

In the early 1960's, Joseph Heard, who was Manager of the College Organization Division of The Mother Church, saw that many students were experiencing financial hardship in meeting the cost of higher education. He mentioned this to Garfield Merner and his wife, Ruth. Mr. Merner, a successful businessman, industrialist and philanthropist, shared the idea of an education loan fund with friends and together they established The Albert Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund for Higher Education (also known as the Albert Baker Fund) in San Francisco. The name was chosen out of respect for the special affection that Mary Baker Eddy held for her scholarly brother, Albert Baker. The Articles of Incorporation were filed with the California Secretary of State on July 9, 1964.

It was reported at the first annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, held in July 1965, that $810 had been received in contributions. By fiscal year end May 1966, the first student loans totaling $2,710 had been granted. Since that time, the Albert Baker Fund has provided over 4,000 loans totaling over six million dollars. When one of the early founders of the Fund, Alaister G. Smith, CSB, was asked if the founders had ever envisioned this kind of success, Mr. Smith said, "At that time, it could only have been a dream."

The students the Fund assists must be attending school in the United States or Canada. All loans require a cosigner who is a citizen of the United States except Canadian students who may have a Canadian cosigner. Applicants for an education grant must meet a different requirement from those applying for a student loan.

We invite you to share information about the Albert Baker Fund with family and friends. We also encourage anyone in need of financial assistance for higher education or Christian Science nurses' training to call our office and request an application for a loan or grant.

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This month's feature:

The Albert Baker Fund

For more information about The Albert Baker Fund or to obtain an Application Packet:

E-Mail:
abf@albertbakerfund.org

Phone:
800-269-0388

Fax:
916-568-1372

Address:
777 Campus Commons Rd.
Suite 165
Sacramento, CA 95825-8309

Program Manager:
Carolyn Gregory