Our Commitment

Catholic Values. Charitable Giving. Ethical Practices.

Catholic

The Knights of Columbus is committed to being a Catholic company that upholds Catholic values and supports Catholic causes.

The Knights of Columbus adheres to a strict investment screening protocol developed in part with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Knights of Columbus does not invest in companies that deal in lines of business that involve: abortions and abortifacients, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, contraception, for-profit health care that pays for any of the aforementioned, and pornography.

The Knights also gives generously to the Church through various programs such as the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP). Since 1981, RSVP has provided more than $67 million in scholarships to more than 110,000 men and women pursuing religious vocations. The Knights supports the Vatican and the Holy Father as well, helping to restore the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica which was completed in 1999 for the millennial Jubilee. The Knights also purchased satellite equipment to help broadcast the pope’s messages and Masses throughout the world, in addition to giving an annual donation to Pope Francis’ personal charity with proceeds from the K of C’s Vicarius Christi fund.

Charitable

The Knights of Columbus is one of the world’s largest forces for good. In the past decade alone, the Knights of Columbus has donated more than $1.55 billion to charitable causes, and has performed more than 700 million hours of volunteer service.

Knights have led major charitable initiatives including Coats for Kids, the Ultrasound Initiative, and Christians at Risk, and have also sponsored events and programs with organizations such as Special Olympics and the Global Wheelchair Mission.

The Knights of Columbus insurance program – coupled with the hard work and dedication of brother Knights anywhere – helps power the Knights of Columbus’ charitable giving.

“The insurance program is a powerful financial engine that supports much of the good works we do,” said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Through the insurance program, we are blessed with the opportunity to give generously and support numerous charitable and spiritual causes, building up society and the Church.”

“Of course, this is closely tied to our Catholic identity and the fact that charity is our first principle,” he continued. “We are called to be ‘our brother’s keeper,’ and to look after the physical and spiritual well-being of those around us. But the fact is that without the insurance program, much of what we do….would simply not be possible.”

Ethical

For three consecutive years, the Knights of Columbus has been designated a “World’s Most Ethical Company” by the Ethisphere Institute, and is one of only a handful of companies in the insurance industry to have earned the honor.

The “World’s Most Ethical Company” evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of a business’ operation, including its corporate citizenship and responsibility, its culture of ethics, its governance, and its leadership, innovation, and reputation.

Resources: