Iowa Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation

At the 2004 Iowa State Council Convention, a resolution for the Establishment of the Iowa Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation was submitted by council #2021 (Estherville).  The resolution was voted on and passed by the delegates.  The Foundation was established as a section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, thereby allowing donors to make tax-deductible gifts. 

The Foundation is made up of 4 Funds — Unrestricted Fund (General Fund), Helping Hands Fund, Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Fund and Vocations /Catholic Education Fund.  Additional information for each fund may be found by clicking on the Foundation Brochure noted below.

Helping Hands Fund

In keeping with the First Degree of our Order, “Charity”, the Helping Hands Fund is used to supply financial grants directly to individuals who suffer an unexpected personal hardship.

The first grant from the Helping Hands Fund was given out in the fall of 2006.   Requests for funding have significantly increased over the years.  In fiscal year 2010 we offered assistance to 13 individuals.  In 2011 we provided assistance to 15 and in fiscal 2012 we were able to provide assistance to 19 individuals.  Fiscal year 2013 will see donations given out to over 40 individuals. As you can see, requests for funding continue to increase each year. 

Our Goal

Our goal is to not only raise funding to meet annual requests but to establish a Helping Hands account that will allow financial stability for generations to come.  To be successful, we need each Council, Assembly and individual members to make annual donations to the Fund.  While large dollar donations are very helpful, the summation of a large number of smaller donations is the bases for growing and sustaining the Fund.   

To Make A Donation

Checks may be made out to the Iowa Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation and mailed to:

Tom Wittrock
Treasurer, Charitable Foundation
770 310^th Street
Bagley, Iowa  50026-8014

To Request A Grant

Grand Knights, Faithful Navigators and District Deputies may click on the Foundation Application as noted below or they may request a form by contacting PSD Tom Wittrock at (641) 427-5741, or at 770 310th Street, Bagley, IA 50026-8014.

Charitable Foundation Additional Information

• Foundation Brochure
• Foundation Application

Foundation Officers

The officers of the Foundation from left to right are

President, Dave Bellendier  PSD

Vice President, Mike Laake PSD

Secretary, John McGinnis

Treasurer, Tom Wittrock PSD

The Board of Directors consists of all Past State Deputies living in  Iowa along with the Iowa State Knights of Columbus Executive board members.