About BAFF
MISSION
Continuing a longstanding American commitment to the Baltic region, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF) mission is to deepen the ties between and among Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the United States through programs of education and exchange centering on economic growth and democratic values. Current Baltic-American Freedom Foundation scholarship opportunities include:
The Professional Internship Program for university students and recent graduates.
The Research Scholarship Program for professors and others in academia.
The Baltic-American Dialogue for educational institutions, government entities, business groups, and Baltic experts.
The Baltic-American Security Exchange (BASE) for Baltic and U.S. security experts.
The Leadership Academy for high school students.
Individuals and organizations seeking funding are invited to apply to the appropriate Baltic-American Freedom Foundation program. Please contact BAFF for more information.
HISTORY AND FUNDING
In 1989, the United States Congress enacted the Support for East European Democracy Act (SEED), which authorized the creation of enterprise funds to assist the development of private market economies in Central and Eastern Europe. SEED established the funds as unique “public-private partnerships” for the purpose of investing U.S. government funds to support the private sector and nascent market economies of Poland and Hungary. Subsequent Foreign Appropriations Acts extended the authorization to establish funds in other Central and Eastern European countries, including the Baltic states.
From 1989 to 1994, the U.S. Congress, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), appropriated $1.3 billion to establish 10 new investment funds, known collectively as the Enterprise Funds, throughout Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
The Baltic-American Enterprise Fund or BalAEF was established in 1994 to contribute to the private-sector development in the Baltic States. BalAEF’s work in the region was focused on the development and funding of primary and secondary mortgage market activities and the provision of capital to growth-oriented companies. The fund originated some 19,800 mortgage loans and financed more than 125 businesses. By late 2008, as BalAEF prepared to exit its investments, the fund’s leadership turned attention to what the fund might “leave behind” as a legacy to continue to enrich ties between the United States and Baltic citizens. Taking a cue from other Enterprise Funds, BalAEF’s leadership began setting up a legacy foundation, which became the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation or BAFF. The board saw BAFF as a natural outgrowth of the fund’s original mission.
In 2010 BAFF was established and authorized by USAID to fund educational exchange programs collectively known as BAFF Scholarships. With an endowment from BalAEF that would exceed $35 million after returning $25 million to the U.S. Treasury, BAFF has thus far disbursed more than $12 million in Scholarships to over 500 participants. The Scholarships provided by BAFF are intended to be a gift from the American people to the citizens of the Baltic states, to further build and strengthen the friendship and goodwill existing between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the United States.
STRUCTURE
CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange is responsible for the administration, management, and program support for BAFF Scholarship programs.
For 75 years since 1947, CIEE has been in pursuit of its mission, “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” CIEE is a non-profit organization designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer international work and study exchange programs. Founded as a non-profit, non-governmental organization in 1947, CIEE is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected names in study abroad and exchange programs.
Each year, CIEE sponsors nearly 50,000 young professionals, university, and high school students, helping them to grow personally and to develop their potential through participation in a wide variety of exchange programs across the globe.
CIEE is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor of Intern, Trainee, and Research Scholar programs.
Phone: 202-203-5096
Fax: 202-203-5087
U.S. Department of State
Office of Exchange Coordination & Designation
ECA/EC/ECD-SA-44, Room 734
301 4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20547
Baltic-American Freedom Foundation 2023 Annual Report
The President of the Republic of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis appointed Mr. Davis a Commander of the State, Cross of Recognition, May 2019
H.E. Audra Plepyte presented Mr. Davis with the Order for Merits to Lithuania, Cross of the Knight, July 7, 2021
5th Anniversary
The Baltic-American Freedom Foundation celebrated its Fifth Anniversary on June 20, 2016 in Riga. The celebration featured an anniversary address given by Ambassador Kurt Volker, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, and dinner for 275 guests, including 125 BAFF Alumni. A highlight of the event was an exhibition celebrating the stories of 22 BAFF Alumni who had the opportunity to travel to the United States to complete professional internships, study, learn, and grow.