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| Abbreviation | K of C |
|---|---|
| Formation | March 29, 1882 |
| Founder | Michael J. McGivney |
| Founded at | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Type | Catholic fraternal service order |
| Headquarters | Knights of Columbus Building, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
Supreme Knight | Patrick E. Kelly |
Supreme Chaplain | William E. Lori |
| Affiliations | |
| Website | www |
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. It is led by Patrick E. Kelly, the order's 14th Supreme Knight.
The organization was founded on March 29, 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, it has grown to support refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social causes. The Knights of Columbus have played an active role in politics ever since its formation, and promote the Catholic view on public policy issues around the world.
The organization also provides certain financial services to the individual and institutional Catholic market. Its wholly-owned insurance company, a Fortune 1000 company based on its annual revenue, underwrites more than two million insurance contracts, totaling more than $121 billion of life insurance in force as of 2023. The order also owns the Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, a money management firm which invests in accordance with Catholic social teachings.
As of 2023, the Knights reported having over two million members around the world. Women may participate in K of C through the Columbiettes and other female auxiliaries, and boys may join the Columbian Squires. The Order comprises four different "degrees", each one of which exemplifies one of the core principles of the order. There are more than 16,000 local Knights of Columbus councils around the world, including over 300 on college campuses.