The Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund is proud to announce its 2024 grant awards to 13 Southeast Kansas organizations for projects to address basic human needs in Crawford County totaling $63,000.
As a result of the sale of the Knights of Columbus Tower, the Pittsburg Broadway Tower Corporation established the Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK). The fund was established with the intent to continue the Tower’s mission through an annual competitive grant process aimed at addressing Crawford County housing needs.
“The Community Foundation is proud to assist the Knights of Columbus with carrying on the legacy of Tower’s impact in our community,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These grants support critical programs and services for a variety of individuals, from youth to adult.”
The Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund began its grantmaking through CFSEK in 2021 and has since awarded over $175,000 to over 30 nonprofit organizations in Crawford county.
“The Knights of Columbus are so pleased to be able to help those in need in our community,” said Jeff Wilbert, Knights of Columbus Tower board president. “It is exciting for us to be able to carry on the tradition of our founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, in providing assistance to those less fortunate.”
The 2024 Knights of Columbus grants were awarded to the following organizations and projects:
- Building Health, Inc – Bridging the Housing Gap
- Catholic Charities Inc. – Housing and Homeless Supportive Service Project
- Children First CEO Kansas Inc. – Support of Students Attending Catholic School in Pittsburg
- Cornerstones of Care – Stopping the Spiral
- DBLO Association – Beds for Crawford County Children In Need
- Familes and Children Together Inc. – Welcome Home! A Little Something for a Smooth Transition
- Fostering Connections – Free Family Fun Event at the Pumpkin Patch-2024
- Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters – One-to-one Youth Mentoring
- KVC Kansas – Kids and Family Fund
- SEK-CAP Inc – Community Action Program Home: New Beginnings
- Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging – TC Community Support Funds for Crawford County
- Special Olympics Kansas – Senior Unified Games
- The Salvation Army – Knights of Columbus Emergency Assistance 2024-2025
“On behalf of the Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund, CFSEK congratulates the 2024 grant recipients and thanks them for their commitment to supporting our community,” said Gorman.
The Knights of Columbus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 on principles of charity, unity, and fraternity with the intent to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy and their families.
The Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund was established to continue those principles and be used for the following charitable purposes:
- to provide housing, rent, and utility needs assistance to elderly, handicapped, and low-income families and individuals of Pittsburg, Kansas, and the surrounding area
- to provide health and human services to meet the educational, social, physical, spiritual, and psychological needs of such persons
- to promote the health, security, happiness, and usefulness of such persons
- to improve community services for such persons