The Catholic Defender: The Knights of Columbus is as important today as ever.
- Donald Hartley
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Knights of Columbus remains a highly significant organization today, acting as the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization with over 2.2 million members globally. Founded in 1882 on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, the organization has adapted to modern needs while maintaining its core mission of supporting the Church, community, and family.
Based on 2024–2025 reports, the Knights of Columbus continues to demonstrate its relevance through massive charitable impact
Charitable Impact: In 2024, the Knights donated over $197 million to worthy causes and provided more than 48 million volunteer hours.
Disaster and Crisis Relief: The organization provided significant, rapid aid, including over $20 million through the Ukraine Solidarity Fund, $5 million in disaster relief in 2020, and support for refugees.
Support for Life and Family: The Knights are active in the pro-life movement, funding thousands of ultrasound machines and, through the Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) initiative, supporting pregnancy resource centers.
Financial Protection: The organization maintains a top-rated insurance program with over $124 billion of life insurance in force as of 2026, continuing its founding mission of protecting families.
Support for the Church: Known as the "strong right arm of the Church," the Knights provide major financial support to the Vatican, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and assist in seminarian formation.
While some critics have pointed to membership challenges, the organization reports continued growth, with 96,000 new members welcomed recently and over 17,000 councils worldwide. Its focus on charitable, faith-based actions—such as the "Coats for Kids" program, which has distributed 1 million coats, and partnership with the Special Olympics—positions it as a vital, active, and modern force for service.
Distributed over 1 million coats to date through the Coats for Kids program.
Provided over 11,000 wheelchairs in 2023 through the Global Wheelchair Mission.
Raised more than $24 million for the Ukraine Solidarity Fund to provide humanitarian aid during the conflict.
Originally founded to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members, the Knights' Insurance Program is now a Fortune 1000 company
Stability: Manages over $124 billion of life insurance in force as of early 2026.
Ethical Investing: Operates Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, managing over $30 billion in assets according to Catholic social teachings.
The Knights are a major benefactor for the Vatican and local dioceses
Vatican Restoration: Funded a yearlong restoration of Bernini’s iconic baldacchino in St. Peter's Basilica for the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Seminarian Support: Surpassed $100 million in total support for religious vocations and seminarians.
Charity – Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization, with more than 1.9 million members in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, the Bahamas and South Korea.
The Knights of Columbus stand on four enduring principles—Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. These guide our hearts and hands in every good work we undertake, rooted in faith and service.
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