Our Mission
The William and Nancy Budd Scholarship for Kenyan students provides scholarships for secondary and university students in Kenya who face significant hardships in accessing education. The scholarships cover a substantial portion of tuition fees for the second half of Form 2 and Forms 3 and 4. Occasionally, the scholarship will cover a significant portion of post-secondary fees.
Our History
Before founding The William and Nancy Budd Scholarship for Kenyan students, Daniel Ritchie served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Western Kenya from 1964 to 1966, not far from the Kinyoro Primary School in Kitale. His time in Kenya left a lasting impact on him, and he remained connected to the country throughout his career with frequent visits back to Kenya.
In 1999, Daniel was in Nairobi when his stepbrother, William (Bill) B. Budd, passed away. Bill had dedicated his career to investment management in Boston and New York. Still, beyond his profession, he was passionate about life, learning, and supporting young people in their educational pursuits. Inspired by Bill’s commitment to education, Daniel sought to honor his stepbrother’s memory. That same year, he established the William B. Budd Scholarship Fund, dedicated to supporting underprivileged students in Kenya as they pursued their education.
Nancy Budd, the former Vice President of the William B. Budd Scholarship Fund, was also deeply involved in its mission. She visited Kenya in 2001, 2003, and 2005 to meet the students and witness the impact of the scholarship firsthand. As a scholarship student during her educational career, she often shared her experiences with the students, encouraging them to persevere. When her cancer reverted in 2005, many students wrote to her with heartfelt messages of support. Nancy passed away in December 2007, leaving a legacy of dedication and compassion.
In honor of Bill and Nancy, the fund was renamed The William and Nancy Budd Scholarship Fund, ensuring their commitment to education and opportunity would continue inspiring future generations.
Watch our founder, Daniel Ritchie, explain the origin of the Scholarship Fund in a June 2018 meeting with current and former Budd Scholars in Nairobi Kenya:
The Fund is incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the District of Columbia. It has been designated as a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS, allowing U.S. taxpayers to claim donations as tax deductions.
Board of Directors
William Budd III – President
William Budd Jr. – Vice President
David Budd – Vice President
Mary Logan – Secretary
Emily Baillos – Treasurer
Mary Baillos – Board Member
Daniel Ritchie – Board Member
When Daniel founded the scholarship fund in 1999, he worked to find a place to administer the fund in Kenya. On the advice of a Kenyan acquaintance, Dan took his idea to the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), where Mary Mugambe enthusiastically agreed to provide administrative support for the fund. Within the next four years, the fund assisted 36 secondary students chosen from all regions of Kenya.
Today, the NCCK continues to administer The William and Nancy Budd Scholarship Fund as a part of its national scholarship program.
- The Selection Process: Regional committees nominate candidates, and a national committee selects the final scholars
- Special Selection: One student each year is chosen from Kinyoro Primary School near Kitale, Trans-Nzoia County, Western Province, while the rest are selected from a national pool
We thank the past Budd Scholarship Administrators, who remain valuable to the Budd Scholarship Family.
NCCK Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
In February 2023, the National Council of Churches of Kenya, which oversees the Budd Scholarship in Kenya, was nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for its work in Education and Peace Building.
A Press Statement on the nomination can be found here:
http://www.ncck.org/ncck-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-2023/
