Knights of Columbus
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS IS A CATHOLIC FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING AND CONDUCTING EDUCATIONAL, CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL WELFARE WORKS, RENDERING MUTUAL AID AND ASSISTANCE TO SICK AND NEEDY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDING INSURANCE PRODUCTS AND ANNUITIES TO BENEFIT MEMBERS, WIVES AND CHILDREN.
- Income
- $2.8 billion
- Spending
- $2.5 billion
- Employees
- 2,631
- Volunteers
- 2,166,000
- Highest pay
- $1.9 million, director/supreme knight
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $2.0 billion spent. PROGRAMS FOR THE PAYMENT OF IRC SEC. 501(C)(8) BENEFITS TO MEMBERS, WIVES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS IS A CATHOLIC FAMILY FRATERNAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION WITH OVER 2.0 MILLION MEMBERS, FOUNDED IN 1882 FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: (A) RENDERING AID TO ITS MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND BENEFICIARIES OF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; (B) RENDERING MUTUAL AID AND ASSISTANCE TO ITS SICK, DISABLED AND NEEDY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; (C) PROMOTING SOCIAL WORK AMONG ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND (D) PROMOTING AND CONDUCTING EDUCATIONAL, CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL WELFARE, WAR RELIEF AND WELFARE AND PUBLIC RELIEF WORK.TO MORE EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT ITS PURPOSES THE CORPORATION, A CONNECTICUT SPECIALLY CHARTERED CORPORATION WITHOUT CAPITAL STOCK, PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR LIFE INSURANCE, LONG TERM CARE, DISABILITY INCOME AND ANNUITY BENEFITS TO MEMBERS, WIVES, WIDOWS AND MINOR CHILDREN PRINCIPALLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. THE TOTAL IRC SEC. 501(C)(8) BENEFITS ACCRUED TO MEMBERS OF $2,035,806,799 WERE INCURRED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT. IN 2024, 22,004 DEATH CLAIMS WERE INCURRED. THE AVERAGE SIZE OF A LIFE INSURANCE CERTIFICATE IS $72,938. THE AVERAGE AGE OF A CERTIFICATE HOLDER IS 52.
- $421.4 million spent. PROGRAMS FOR EXPENSES INCURRED NECESSARY IN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS INSURANCE AND FRATERNAL ENDEAVORS.
- $32.6 million spent. PROGRAMS OF ASSISTANCE TO OTHER SOCIAL ACTION, EDUCATIONAL, CHARITABLE, BENEVOLENT, MORAL AND RELIGIOUS ENDEAVORS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(8) fraternal beneficiary society.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1940.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.