Dues Charitable Causes
Columbian Retirement Home, Inc. (CRH) is a 501(c)(3) corporation that was envisioned in the late 1960's to help care for the elderly brothers and their wives (or widows). In the mid 1970's, the state passed resolutions to form Columbian Retirement Home, Inc. and set it up as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. They do one fund raiser a year and every Knight in California should receive a request in the mail for donations to the CRH. This award/raffle drawing is the corporation's main source of funds. In 1986, CRH was able to purchase the Marysville Columbian Center from the Diocese of Sacramento. This center is an independent living center that provides an affordable place to live for the elderly. Rental fees include three meals a day, room/linen cleaning. All amenities are included except for telephone and private TV. The center is walking distance from the Catholic church as well as grocery stores. In the 90's the corporation owned/operated a Glendale facility but ended up selling the property to purchase land in Riverside County to build a 100 unit facility next to a Catholic church. Opposition to the building and zoning restrictions forced CRH to sell that land for a profit. CRH is still in search to buy/build a large center in Southern California. Until then, they continue to operate the Marysville facility and save until they can own/operate a SoCal facility. Our council request to support the CRH allows the council to make a donation to the corporation each year.
http://www.columbianretirementhome.org
Californian Columbian Charities is the annual 365 Club Fund. When Fr. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, his vision included Brothers taking care of Brothers and their families in the time of need. Columbian Charities is one way that the California State Council is able to do this. They have a fraternal benefit that was formed in 1955 that is dedicated to Brothers helping Brothers. During the past half century, there have been over 1930 requests for assistance and they have given out over $2,800,000 in relief. In 2013, Columbian Charities assisted 58 Brothers and their families with $140,000 in aid. There is no repayment required for these grants. This is a 100% charitable gift to those in need. The 365 Club Fund is their primary source of funding and these funds are from Brother Knights throughout the state. I idea of the 365 Club is to donate one penny a day, paid with your dues. At the state convention, all the councils throughout the state donate their council's portion to the fund. This charity is at the core values of what Fr. McGivney envisioned and is a worthy cause and worth every donation made.
https://www.californiaknights.org/culture-of-life/california-columbian-charities-365club/
The Knights in Need (KIN) is our own form of the Columbian Charities, but at a council level. Each year, we have Brothers in our council who struggle to pay their dues or need a bag of groceries to feed their family for the week. Whatever the cause is, we can offer some assistance to our own Brothers in need. The Grand Knight of the council, and the KIN board, can approve assistance to our own in need. With our size and the amount of money we have, we're obviously not going to be able to pay mortgages and car payments, but we can help with the small stuff. This charity is also at the core values of what Fr. McGivney envisioned. We are Brothers helping Brothers.
Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) allows a council to "adopt" one or more seminarians or postulants and provide them with financial assistance and moral support. RSVP money is used by seminarians and those in religious formation for tuition and books, car insurance and maintenance, travel during vacations, emergency expenditures and other living expenses. Knights provide more than financial support, though. Members write letters to students, sponsor dinners for them, invite them to join the Order and, most importantly, pray for vocations. Our council receives a $100 refund for every $500 donated. The refund comes from the Supreme council.
http://www.kofc.org/en/programs/faith/rsvp.html#/
https://www.californiaknights.org/faith-programs/vocationsrsvp/