The Knights of Columbus Charities of Kentucky, Inc. is a non-profit corporation and a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Donations to the corporation are tax deductable. It was formed in the early 1990's to promote charitable and educational pursuits, to render mutual aid and assistance to those in need and to support and cooperate with all fraternal, charitable and civic enterprises rendering monetary aid. The membership of this corporation is composed solely of the active membership in good standing of all Kentucky subordinate councils and the Kentucky State Council.

Its affairs are managed by a Board of Directors that are elected from the membership of the Corporation in the manner provided by the by-laws. The governing Board can also make appointments to this Board. The Corporations by-laws are subject to review and approval by the membership. They can be modified only through the amendment process at the Annual State Meeting.
All net proceeds from any fundraiser must be distributed to recognized entities and needy individuals based on grant requests, made on this form, received and voted on by the Board of Directors. Incomplete grant requests from organizations will not be approved. Expenses of the Corporation are only those necessary, reasonable and directly related that attribute to managing the Corporation. The Board of Directors meets twice a year to consider actions on grant requests
The Corporation is financially sound with its funds coming primarily from a Sweepstakes fundraiser supported by the jurisdiction's subordinate councils. The officers and directors are continually looking at new ways to increase annual income to fund the many charitable requests that it receives. We need our subordinate councils to continue to keep our Charities Corporation serving those in need by continuing their support of our annual fund raisers.
The primary principle of the Knights of Columbus, as we learned in the First Degree, is CHARITY. The Sweepstakes is one of the easiest ways for a Council to raise money for charitable purposes. It requires very little manpower and no investment of any kind. It is a win-win situation for all involved. Sixty-five percent of net receipts are split evenly among participating Councils and K of C Charities. Each Council receives funds based on the number of tickets they sell. The more participation that we have, the more money we will have available to help those in need. The real winners are the needy that are helped at the Council level and those that are helped by grants from Kentucky Charities, Inc.
Additionally, the Corporation has invested funds in the Supreme Council's Christopher Fund. The interest derived from this fund will be returned to Kentucky Charities to be used for charitable distribution. In the coming years we will continue to invest in the Christopher Fund to increase our return for greater charitable endeavors.

William Schmidt, State Deputy
Chairman