HIstory & Mission

The Monsignor Thomas G. Smyth Endowment Fund was created in 1987 by hundreds of families in the community to provide increased financial resources to assure the continuation of quality Catholic education at Blessed Sacrament School. The fund is named in honor of the founding Pastor of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Monsignor Thomas G. Smyth.

Since the Smyth Endowment Fund’s creation, it has been wisely invested to ensure financial security through challenging times, such as those we have recently lived through.  The fund has grown steadily over the past 35 years as successive pastors and the fund’s board have solicited annual contributions in a Spring appeal and through an annual golf fundraising event (the “Smyth Fund Golf Classic”). The proceeds from these efforts have been carefully invested over time and are managed by the Chevy Chase Trust. The School’s endowment fund provides stability for today, financial security for the future and strengthens our ability to advance our mission. 

Like any endowment fund, the Smyth Endowment Fund’s capital is invested for long-term growth, while also making annual disbursements to the school to support various initiatives. Over the years, the Fund’s annual disbursements, which totaled approximately 3.5% of the School’s annual budget over the past three years, has carried our School through financial hardships with minimal impact to day-to-day operations and will continue to do so in the future.  It serves as a safety net for the impact of unforeseen circumstances, such as the 2008 financial crisis, when a number of families unexpectedly needed tuition assistance and other sources of school income declined. More recently the Fund was critical to ensuring the continued success of the School during the pandemic, providing the financial support required to safely reopen. The Fund has also provided capital for necessary renovations and one-time projects and upgrades, such as financing the beloved “Field of Dreams”.

In addition to providing unexpected contingency cash flow, a fixed percentage of capital from the Fund is distributed to BSS each year in support of two main goals:

• To offer financial assistance to students and their families who would otherwise not be able to attend our excellent school. 

• To provide continuing education, training, and materials for our excellent teachers. The Fund also allowed for a one-time teacher bonus in June 2021 in appreciation of their extraordinary service during the pandemic.