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FAQs

About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the national office at 816-561-5955. See How We Process Grants for an overview of the process.

No, but in order to evaluate your case we must talk to you by phone and ask questions specific to your situation and your practice of Christian Science.

Most grants are processed within 24-48 hours. Some take longer.

Please tell us about your concerns when you call.

Confidentiality is of primary importance to us. Only the National Office and the Local Committee Administrator will have your name and the case details that you provide. Using a case number, the Administrator will pass on to the Committee only the details required for good decision-making.

A brief description of the background for this particular need is helpful, but lengthy rehearsals of the problem tend to cloud rather than clarify. (See Church Manual 47:18.) We love hearing as much as you would like to share about how you’re approaching the challenge metaphysically! It is helpful to have specific cost information; for example, if a car repair is needed, what are the estimates?

When we call a reference, we identify ourselves by our role with The Principle Foundation and then typically ask one or two direct questions such as, “Can you verify that ___ is a member of your branch church? Can you describe his attendance and/or participation?” Often practitioners are given as references, but we do not need to know and will not ask about the practitioner-patient relationship. Our typical question of a practitioner (and most other references) is, “Do you know this individual to be a practicing Christian Scientist?”

We are primarily interested that our grants support a requester’s demonstration of Christian Science. While humanitarian aid is important in our society, it is not the sole purpose of our grants.

Throughout her writings, Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, frequently pairs Principle and Love, such as “the divine Principle, Love.” Our Foundation is based on that Principle, Love which cares for us all.

We pay most grants by direct deposit. We also have the flexibility to pay by check and by wire transfer (if a need is especially urgent). Funds will typically show up in your bank account in 2-3 days. We usually make payments directly to a practitioner, auto repair shop, utility company, etc. For our US granting programs, we do not send funds outside of the US.

  1. Type of account: checking or savings.
  2. 9-digit bank routing number.
  3. Your account number.

No.

We do not make loans. Grant assistance from The Principle Foundation is an expression of unconditional love. It is meant to alleviate a burden, not increase it. We consider grants to be an investment in the demonstration of Christian Science. The “pay back” is healing that blesses all mankind.

No. The Foundation gives short-term, one-time grants with the expectation of complete healing. We do not give grants that will extend an otherwise unsustainable arrangement.

When there is evidence of spiritual growth, we may consider a subsequent grant.

No, but if the demonstration is not complete, including supply, why wouldn’t you seek the best help available?

No, but we consider church membership and activity to be indicators of an individual’s sincerity. We also find that active church membership promotes spiritual growth and reflects that spirit of giving and receiving so necessary and evident in the operation of the “divine economy.”

No. We are primarily interested in our grants supporting a requester’s demonstration of Christian Science. The Principle Foundation does not provide financial assistance to individuals who, by choice, rely on medical care in whole or in part.

Except for the International Fund for Christian Science Nursing (which is a separate program), we do not send grants outside of the United States. We also do not fund any travel outside of the U.S. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be residing in the United States to be eligible for a grant from the General Fund.

This is possible under circumstances where an individual has given us permission to work with his or her personal representative.

In the event of difficulties caused by natural disasters (fires, floods, tornados, etc.) our Disaster Relief Fund is available to help with such things as

  • Temporary lodging, gas, food, clothing
  • Moderate grants for structural repairs, insurance deductibles, furniture, and vehicle needs
  • Short-term compensation for lost income due to a disaster

No. Our grants are for individuals. The Mother Church may be able to provide aid for branch churches. Branch churches may apply for assistance at benevolence@csps.com.

No. You may apply whenever the need occurs.

Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund are used wherever there’s a disaster-related need. We have not found it practical to restrict funds to just one event. If, after two years, donations to the Disaster Relief Fund aren’t used, they may be transferred into The General Fund. This helps us exercise good stewardship over our funds.

Certain widespread “acts of nature” such as floods, tornados, fires, extreme cold or heat, a “pandemic”, etc. may qualify as a “disaster.” The situation does not need to be a nationally-declared disaster to be eligible.

If we have the required payment information, requests are generally considered within 2-4 days and funds may be dispersed within another 2-3 days.

  • Prison inmates may request a grant for Christian Science publications, including the Christian Science Sentinel, Science and Health, and other books and magazines
  • Those inmates who are practicing Christian Scientists may request a grant for needed basic personal items
  • When an inmate who is a practicing Christian Scientist is released from prison (a returning community member or RCM) we may help with basic reentry.

Generally, no. As with all of our grants, the request must come from the requester.

We partner with these committees to support the needs of prisoners.

  • We are the fiscal sponsor for Embraced:Fully and provide administrative and accounting support to that program.
  • We partner with Embraced:Fully to help with arrangements to support recently released Christian Scientists.

Not at this time. We provide Prison Ministry Assistance from our General Fund, and you may always donate there. You also may donate directly to Embraced:Fully by noting that on a check or using the drop-down on our online donation page.

Those who have been listed as a Christian Science nurse in The Christian Science Journal for at least 10 years.

In addition, applicants must:

  • Be at least 65 years old
  • Be a member of The Mother Church
  • Be a US resident

Applicants who meet all the criteria listed above, and are also able to show a financial need by providing basic information such as their household income, assets, housing costs, etc.

Yes.

Yes; we hope you will.

Please apply anyway. The Fund is intended to honor and acknowledge the work of Christian Science nurses, and we want you to keep on serving just as long as you’re led to.

  • Most recent IRS 1040 (if you file)
  • Social Security Benefit Verification Letter (if applicable)
  • Durable or Financial Power of Attorney (if someone is applying on your behalf)

Please let us know so we can try to help you get it.

Generally, within a week after we receive the application and all of the supporting documents.

  • We’ll clarify the information on your application.
  • We also want to learn more about you and your practice of Christian Science nursing.

Please allow 15-30 minutes.

  • Direct deposit into your bank account
  • In most cases, these deposits will be made monthly

By donors who love Christian Science nursing and have contributed specifically for this purpose.

It will continue through 2025; beyond that, the funding is not guaranteed.

The Principle Foundation does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. It is our understanding that need-based financial assistance is considered a gift under Section 102 of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, charitable assistance to individuals is not taxable; rather it is considered a gift. Accordingly, The Principle Foundation will not report this need-based financial assistance to the IRS on Form 1099 or any other similar tax form.

Call anytime or send an email. We’re here to love, honor, and express gratitude to Christian Science nurses, so it’s our job to make the application process as easy as possible. 816-759-5459 | gratitude@principlefoundation.org

The primary activity of our Local Committees is to respond to requests for financial assistance that come to the Foundation’s General Fund from that area. Local Committees also help spread the word about The Principle Foundation.

Click here for a map showing the locations of The Principle Foundation’s Local Committees

Call 816-759-5457 or email volunteer@principlefoundation.org and we’ll put you in touch with the Local Committee in your area or work with you on starting a new one.

There are currently 23 volunteer Local Committees of The Principle Foundation serving 24 states. We invite you to consider joining an existing Local Committee or starting one in your area.

Local Committees are composed of a minimum of three dedicated students of Christian Science who agree to operate in accord with the policies and procedures of The Principle Foundation’s Board of Directors and National Office. Committee members must be members of The Mother Church and should be active members of their branch churches or societies.

The number varies depending upon the region and how many grant requests we get. It may be as few as three in a year or more than ten.

You can let the National Office know, and then discuss how to handle it.

No. All names and identifying facts are kept confidential. Only the Grant Administrator knows specific names.

The IRS Form 990 is a public statement of The Principle Foundation’s annual income and outflow. In 2022, we reported that 92% of the funds we received were directly related to program expenses. Only 8% was related to administrative overhead.

Yes.  See our evaluation on Charity Navigator.

Check, cash, credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), and PayPal.

Please contact us at accounting@principlefoundation.org or by phone at 800-826-7756 and ask for the Accounting Manager, who will make the change immediately.

Please click here for a list and descriptions.

No. The Principle Foundation does not accept pass-through contributions and accepts donations only to its established funds.

If paying by check, please include the person’s name on the memo line. If paying online, there is a box you can check, and then you will be asked to provide the person’s name.

Yes. If the family has requested that gifts be made to The Principle Foundation, we will typically have their contact information, and if we don’t have it, we’ll get it. If you have contact info for the family member who should be notified of your contribution in their loved one’s name, please share that with us.

Yes. Please provide us with his or her contact information–either email or mailing address.

Please contact us at accounting@principlefoundation.org. Alternatively, you may call 800-826-7756 and ask for the Accounting Manager who will be happy to work with you.

Yes. Please contact us at accounting@principlefoundation.org or by phone at 800-826-7756 and ask for the Accounting Manager who will be happy to work with you.

Yes. Many churches and societies contribute to the General Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, or to one of our Local Committees that serve specific regions of the country. Some churches have set up automatic recurring donations.

No. Our grants are for individuals. The Mother Church may be able to provide aid for churches. Branch churches may apply for assistance at benevolence@csps.com.

Not usually, but exceptions may occur.

No. We are an independent organization designated as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit. However, in certain cases, we partner with The Mother Church, as well as other Christian Science organizations, to help someone in need.

We are supported primarily by contributions from Christian Scientists who want to help their fellow Christian Scientists. Both individuals and Christian Science organizations donate. We do not have an endowment, but we expect needs to be met since divine Love supplies all good at all times.

A Christian Scientist named Walter LaSalle began this work in the Kansas City area in the 1950’s. He was so grateful for a physical healing he had experienced, that he wanted to give back. See our history here.

No. All information is confidential within TPF and its affiliates described on this website.

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