COUNCIL INFORMATION
The organization was founded in March 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States., In addition to providing an insurance system for its members, its charter states that it endeavors "to promote such social and intellectual intercourse among its members as shall be desirable and proper. "It has grown to support refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social and political causes. The Knights promote the Catholic view on public policy issues, including opposition to
The organization also provides certain financial services to the individual and institutional Catholic market. It's wholly owned insurance company, one of the largest in the world, underwrites more than two million insurance contracts, totaling more than $114 billion of life insurance in force as of 2021. It is a Fortune 1000 company based on its annual revenues. The order also owns the Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, a firm that invests in accordance with Catholic social teachings.
Volunteer hours K of C’s survey of charitable giving also showed that monetary donations increased $8 million (+4.5 percent) and service hours grew by 527,550 (+0.7 percent). Year-over-year annual growth in both categories has been consistent over the past two decades.
Our charitable activities encompass an almost infinite variety of local, national, and international projects. Our own unique charities include the Christian Refugee Relief Fund, Disaster Relief, Ultrasound Initiative, and Coats for Kids. We also partner with international charities, including Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission, and Habitat for Humanity.
Through our Building the Domestic Church initiative, St. Ann's 8376 Council, established in 1983, Knights and their families have greater opportunities to participate in a variety of activities that deepen their faith, promote the New Evangelization, and strengthen our parishes.
"We are answering Pope Francis’ call to go to the peripheries,” the Supreme Knight said. “We can reach halfway around the globe to help those in need, and we can reach out to our neighbor next door. And we do that every day. That makes us witnesses to the faith." As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to a family when the main income earner died. This was before most government support programs were established. Because of religious and ethnic discrimination, Catholics in the late 19th century were regularly excluded from labor unions, popular fraternal organizations, and other organized groups that provided such social services.
If you’d like to be part of an international organization of nearly 2 million Catholic men whose principal work is helping those in need, we'd like to meet you and invite you to join us.
Members strive to live out the mission of the Knights: to empower Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work, and in the community. The Knights are centered on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. St. Ann’s council funds several causes, ranging from food and clothing for those with disabilities to ultrasound machines for the Pregnancy Aid Clinic. The council also finances annual youth scholarships. Members lend their time and talents to the USO welcome group at the Atlanta airport, the annual Memorial Day Mass at Marietta National Cemetery, Special Olympics, and community blood drives.
Our council is very thankful for the many gifts the Lord has given us. We are grateful to be able to give back.