Since 1959, The Benedictine School for Exceptional Children has provided the patience and love that enables children and adults with developmental disabilities to grow, flourish, and mature — to reason — to learn the skills they need to live and work as independently as possible — to reach their full potential.

Established on Maryland's Eastern Shore by The Sisters of St. Benedict, The Benedictine School's mission is to educate children and young adults with developmental disabilities to the maximum of their individual abilities, to provide vocational training so that they may become contributing and self-sufficient members of the work force, and to teach the social and daily living skills necessary for independent living within the community.

The Executive Director of Benedictine Programs and Services is Sister Jeannette Murray, O.S.B. Click here for a profile of Sister Jeannette.

Organization

Benedictine Programs and Services is a nonprofit organization. Like most nonprofits, it is a corporation, which means Benedictine is a legal entity distinct from any individual(s) involved in founding the organization. Nonprofit corporations, like their for-profit counterparts, are governed by a board of directors with legal and ethical responsibilities. Unlike for-profit corporations, however, all board members serve as volunteers and are expected to act with Benedictine’s best interest in mind. Members are nominated for their expertise in financial, management and legal issues. Many are also recruited for their expertise and interest in the care of people with disabilities, and of course there is significant parent representation.

The Board of Directors’ responsibilities fall into the following broad categories:

• Legal and fiduciary
• Oversight
• Fundraising
• Representation of constituencies and viewpoints

Like many other nonprofits, Benedictine also has a Foundation managed by a Board of Trustees. The Foundation’s mission is to secure the financial resources needed to assure the future of Benedictine’s programs, services, and other activities. The Trustees oversee all fundraising activities and manage all charitable resources donated to Benedictine. By keeping charitable funds separate, the Trustees can focus more directly on fundraising. In addition to overseeing the Foundation’s fundraising events, mailings, and other activities that generate approximately $2 million per year, the Trustees manage endowment funds totaling more than $5 million with the help of professional money managers.