THE COUNCIL ACCOUNT

Maximize your council’s charitable capabilities while providing support to the causes important to your community.

A Council’s Charitable Resource

A Council Account is specially tailored for a state or local Knights of Columbus Council that wishes to maximize its ability to provide charitable support to the organizations and causes within its community.

Leading with Charity

A program designed by Knights for Knights

Aligned with Faith

Invested according to Catholic teachings

Expand Your Reach

Customized Giving Link to accept online donations

Helping Others

Grow charitable assets without added administration

What is a council account?

COUNCIL ACCOUNTS

The Council Account is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) specially tailored for a state or local Knights of Columbus Council that wishes to maximize its ability to provide charitable support.

Does your council have a significant amount of funds sitting in a bank account earning little interest?
Has your council received money from the sale of a home corporation facility?
Does your council give away more than $5,000 in charitable gifts each year?
Does your council want to expand their ability to accept charitable donations?
Does your council raise funds for specific Faith in Action programs (e.g. American Wheelchair Mission, Ultrasound Program, Coats for Kids, Food for Families)?

Assets and charitable donations can be contributed to your Council Account, given the opportunity to grow, then given out when you’re ready to causes within your community or to the Order’s Faith in Action initiatives.

How does it work?

HOW DOES IT WORK

Your council’s Grand Knight and Treasurer work together to set up the Council Account through Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund. Councils can then recommend grants from the fund to qualified charitable organizations that don’t conflict with Catholic teaching.

CONTRIBUTE

Members and donors can make contributions directly through your Giving Link.

Accepting Donations

ADVISE

Create an investment allocation for your Council Account.

Councils may update their allocation once per month.

GRANT

Recommend grants to the Council’s favored charities or Faith in Action initiatives.

Our Passion Behind Our Purpose

Benefits

Knights in action volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

BENEFITS

Contribute Directly to a Council’s Charitable Fund

Every Council Account receives a Giving Link – an online fundraising page that allows the council to accept credit card or online check donations directly to their Council Account. Donors are eligible to claim a charitable deduction on their tax returns and Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund handles all the administrative burdens, including gift acknowledgments and monthly statements.

Tools to Increase Charitable Assets

A Council Account gives a council the opportunity to grow their charitable assets without added administrative burden. Funds have the potential to grow tax-free through investments managed by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors. Additionally, Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund’s ability to accept tax-deductible gifts of non-cash assets, like appreciated securities, could enable a council’s supporter to make a more significant contribution towards its charitable work.

Giving Aligned to our Catholic Faith

Give confidently thanks to Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund’s due diligence process for Catholic-compliant philanthropy. Every new grant request is evaluated to ensure the mission and identity of the intended recipients are not inconsistent with the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. If an organization fails this due diligence process, Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund will work with you to identify a suitable alternative to meet your charitable goals in accordance with your faith.

Support Faith in Action Programs

Utilize your Council Account to support these Faith in Action initiatives:

Ultrasound initiative
ASAP
Special Olympics
American Wheelchair Mission
Persecuted Christians Fund
Parish-based programs

Learn more about how to utilize your Council Account for Faith in Action programs.

How to get started

HOW TO GET STARTED

Once a council approves the establishment of a Council Account, its officers can Open a Council Account easily by visiting our secure online donor portal .

To open an account, the council must name its executive (e.g., grand knight or state deputy) and treasurer as the two primary account holders. These officers have access to initiate and authorize grants from the Council Account.

Each Council Account must also list two account trustees who have read-only access to the account. The council may select any member to be an account trustee but are encouraged to list the financial secretary as one of the two account trustees.

Officers must follow the procedures for expenditures set forth in the Laws of the Knights of Columbus to make a grant recommendation.

Be sure to have the following items ready when you open your account.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about opening an account, please feel free to contact us.

1-833-877-0728

charitablefund@kofc.org

Item	Details
Council Information	Name, Council Number
Grand Knight and Treasurer	Name, Address, Email and Mobile Number
Two Trustees	Name, Address, Email and Mobile Number

OPEN AN ACCOUNT

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I set up a Council Account?

Complete the online Council Account application form found here. Both a grand knight and a treasurer must be listed on the application in order to open a Council Account.

Who can open a Council Account?

Any Knights of Columbus subordinate organization (e.g., Councils, Assemblies, Chapters, etc.) can open a Council Account.

Which officers have access to a Council Account?

Each Council Account must have the grand knight and treasurer (or analogous roles, such as state deputy and state treasurer) as primary advisors. Additionally, each Council Account must add two trustees, who will have read-only access and can be any other council officer (i.e., they do not have to be a Council trustee).

How can I update leadership on a Council Account?

For leadership updates to your KCCF Council Account for state, local, or any other Knights of Columbus subordinate organization, please download and complete the following form and email it to KCCF at charitablefund@kofc.org

Council Account Update Form

Who can contribute to a Council Account?

Anyone! When you open a Council Account, your council will receive a unique Giving Link that allows anyone to make credit card or online check donations directly to your account. Donors can also contribute via check, wire or securities, but will need to complete a Donation Agreement. For check donations under $250.00, a $10.00 processing fee will be incurred and charged back to your Council Account.

Where can a grant be sent from a Council Account?

Grants can be sent to any 501(c)3 public charity and cannot be used for individual benefit (e.g., tuition payments, dues payments, ticket costs, etc.) per IRS guidelines. KCCF additionally screens grant recommendations to ensure grantees do not act in a way contrary to Catholic teaching.

“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

The gifts we have received are not ours alone. God gave them to us for the purpose of serving Him and serving other people. Each of us has something to give. Generous giving of time, talent, and treasure often defines what it means to be a Catholic.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Our team shares your values and understand that every charitable situation is unique. We are here to provide answers to your questions regarding The Charitable Fund or walk you through getting started with an account.

Open Account