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Illinois State Council KofC Charities, Inc. raises funds to support Newman Campus Ministry, programs that aide those with Intellectual Disabilities, Seminarian and vocations programs, Right to Life centers and activities, and to provide charitable assistance in time of disaster.
There is no official bill to councils for each charity fund. While the goals for each council are voluntary, the funds go to support local and statewide charity initiatives. We track the goals and progress for each council on the Charity Report that that can be found at the bottom of this page. The Charity Report is updated monthly.
To submit donations to any of these charity funds, make a check out to Illinois State Council KofC Charities, Inc., write the name of the associated charity on the memo line and mail the check to the Illinois State Council Finance Office at PO Box 309, Palos Heights, IL 60463. Donations can also be made online using the donation links on each charity's page.
According to the By-laws of Illinois State Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. the Charity Year runs from July 1 - June 30.
To qualify for awards for the 2026-27 Fraternal Year, Charitable Goals must be met by March 15, 2027.
2026 IL ATTORNEY GENERAL LETTER.pdfCharity Online Fundraising Pages
Visit our Charity Fundraising Landing Pages and connect your council to a charity goal today
Have you thought about leaving a Charitable Legacy? Check out these links to learn more.
What is a Charity Ambassador?
What is a Charity Ambassador?
The Charity Ambassador is now included in the DIR1.
A Charity Ambassador is a member of the council who is passionate about
the principle of the First Degree: CHARITY!!!
What is the expectation of a Charity Ambassador?
• Track and monitor Council Charities Goals
• Promote State Charities Programs
• Encourage Council participation in all 5 State Charities
• Requirement for a council to be a “Charity Star Council”
The Charity Ambassador is like a Council Programming Chairman, or
Membership Chairman. He is the person that works with the Chairmen of
the various charitable activities that the council participates.
He reports to the Grand Knight each month as to where the Council stands
on the goals in each of the 5 Charities.
He works with the Program Chairman for each of the Charities in the Council to help promote and understand the Charities programs the Council is working on.
Charity Star Awards Program
Charity Star Awards Program
We would like to recognize you and your Council for being a Charity Star this fraternal year!!! All that is needed to qualify for Charity Star Awards are:
Assign a Council Charity Ambassador Charity Ambassador must be registered no later than December 31 to qualify.
Meet a minimum of 3 of your Charity Goals (Newman, ID, Charitable Assistance, Respect Life and Vocations).
The Council will earn 2 Charity Star Pins, one for the Grand Knight, and the 2nd for the Council Charity Director or Member the Grand Knight chooses.
Meet 4 of your Council Charity Goals.
The Council will earn the Council 3 Charity Star Pins for distribution at the Grand Knights Discretion.
Meet all 5 of your Council Charity Goals.
The Council will earn 5 Charity Star Pins for distribution at the Grand Knights
Discretion.
✓ Goals are based on monies collected and received at the State Office during the Charity year.
✓ Goals met by April 1 will have pins awarded at the State Convention
✓ District Deputies with 3 or more Councils earning Charity Star Status will also receive a
Charity Star Pin.
✓ Councils must have also recruited at least 1 new member, be Safe Environment Compliant, and have submitted their 185, 365 & DIR-1 forms to be considered any Award.
Worthy Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries:
Happy New Fraternal Year! Last year was one of the best years for charitable giving to Illinois State Council KofC Charities Inc. in our history! Councils exceeded goals in CAF, Intellectual Disabilities, and Vocations; your generous giving is truly appreciated by the many organizations and individuals we serve. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly announced at the Annual State Deputy Meeting in New Haven that Illinois was the fifth-largest contributor of charitable donations in the Order.
As we begin this new Fraternal Year, please remember that each Council needs to assign a member to serve as the Council Charity Ambassador. The link for this is now part of the DIR-1 (DIR1-Council). Ambassadors must be named by the end of August for Councils to be eligible for Charity Awards, which are presented at the State Convention. This year, the Convention will be held in Normal on April 22–24, 2027.
Charitable Goals are as follows:
Newman Apostolate Fund: $5.50 per net member
Respect Life Fund: $1.25 per net member
Vocation Support Fund: $4.00 per net member
Charitable Assistance Fund (CAF): $1.25 per net member
Intellectual Disabilities (ID) Fund: Average of the last five years, dropping the high and low years, then adding 5%
The Vocation Support Fund Raffle booklets have been sent out or picked up by Councils that requested them, but there is still time to order booklets from the State Office. Online tickets are also available on the State website.
Hopefully, your Councils have already secured locations for the ID Drive weekend in September. If not, please do not delay; September 18–20 will be here before you know it.
The Newman postcards are being updated and will be sent out soon. It has been brought to my attention that some individuals may not have received their most recent Newman Century Donor Pin. If that is the case, please let me know which pin is missing, and we will get it sent out.
The Respect Life Fund has changed a little this year. Illinois State Council KofC Charities Inc. will not be competing against the Supreme ASAP program. Donations to pregnancy care centers should be made through the ASAP program to take advantage of the additional $100 donation from Supreme. An updated form will be available on the State website to accompany Council donations to the Respect Life Fund.
Finally, do not forget to pass the can at your Council meetings for CAF. Please do not wait until June to send in CAF donations; instead, send them quarterly or every other month. These donations are used to assist organizations and individuals in need, and those situations are often unpredictable and urgent.
Donations need to be sent to:
ILLINOIS STATE COUNCIL FINANCE OFFICE
PO BOX 309
PALOS HEIGHTS, IL 60463-0309
Only donations sent to Illinois State Council K of C Charities, Inc. will count towards Council goals.
I look forward to working with you this coming Fraternal Year and hope we achieve the goals for all five charities. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions relating to the Charities.
Vivat Jesus!
Rob Bentel, Charities Director
Charity Report Excel Spreadsheet as of July 31, 2026
Charity Report Excel Spreadsheet as of July 31, 2026
Please note: The Dashboard feature only works if you download this spreadsheet and open it in Microsoft Excel. For a listing of Councils, please choose the Active Councils tab at the bottom of the window.
8.1.26 CHARITY REPORT.xlsxPage updated
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