Knights of Columbus
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Thanks to the efforts of Father Michal J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut State Legislature on March 29, 1882, officially charter the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity. The Knights of Columbus was former to render financial aid to member and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among the members and their families through educational, charitable, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. The KofC have become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The order has helped families obtain economic security and stability.
- Income
- $42,672
- Spending
- $41,369
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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)
- Youth Development Programs, General/Other: Family and Youth Activities-Catholic values are rooted in the strong bonds of family life. The Knights of Columbus supports these values through family and youth activities. Substance Abuse-Knights of Columbus members regularly participate in and sponsor programsaimed at combating substance abuse. Councils work with police, youth groups and other organizations to conduct educational programs on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. The Knights sponsor poster contests for youth on substance abuse. The Order's youth group, the Columbian Squires, participate in programs that publicize the dangers of drunk driving. The council provided over 2500 hours of volunteer service supporting youth groups.
- Wellness Programs: Culture of Life-The protection of Human Life. The Knights of Columbus is unambiguously and proudly pro-life. In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the order defends human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Building a new Culture of Life where every human life is welcomed, respected and protected by law is one of the highest priorities of the order. Community of Involvement-The history of the Knights of Columbus' involvement in community life is a record of outstanding benevolent achievement. Knights volunteer in a variety of charitable enterprises to serve the people and programs of their communities, families, young people and brother Knights. Much of the success of the Orders volunteer record can be attributed to the fact that the Supreme Council does not mandate participation in any volunteer initiative. Fraternal and charitable programs arise at the grassroots level to meet the local needs. As the Order has grown, its benevolence has increased. The Order continues to break all of its previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. The results of the orders annual Survey of Fraternal Activity for the year ending 2010 show that total contributions to charity at all levels reached nearly $155,00,000. In the past decade, Knights have raised and donated nearly $1.25 billion to numerous charitable causes and volunteered nearly 400 million hours of service. The Council provided more than 4,600 volunteer hours in supporting community projects.
- Christianity Programs: Supporting the Catholic Church has been a hallmark of the Knights of Columbus since its founding in 1882. From funding the restoration of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to operating an usher ministry at a local parish, the Knights of Columbus serves the Church in countless ways. Annually, the Order raises and distributes more than 45 million to Church groups in support of programs at the local, national and international levels. Local . The Knights of Columbus provides support for the Catholic Church in many ways, including the funding of many important parish projects at St. Raymond of Penafort Church. Supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life is a top priority of the Knights of Columbus. The council provided more than 8500 hours to support church projects with in the parish. Fund raisers sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council provided funding to St. Raymond church for their debt reduction program, building fund and religious education program.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
Not 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 November 4, 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.