PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Knights of Columbus Endowment is proud to announce the awarding of $62,000 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations, all with a plan to improve living conditions in Southeast Kansas. In only its second year of awarding grant funds, the Knights of Columbus Endowment has awarded over $115,000 to Crawford County nonprofits.
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 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 following organizations and projects received funding for 2023:
Catholic Charities, Inc. - Housing and Homeless Supportive Services Project
CLASS LTD – CEAF Funds
Dream Big Little One (DBLO) Association - Healthy Sleep for Crawford County Children
First Methodist Church Wesley House - The Gathering Place
Fostering Connections - VIP Kids Bags
Our Lady of Lourdes - Helping People in the Community
Special Olympics Kansas - Senior Games
The Salvation Army - Knights of Columbus Emergency Assistance 2023-2024
Wildcat Extension Education Foundation - Kitchen Restore Starter Kits
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; and to improve community services for such persons.
Anyone interested in establishing a grant-making fund can contact CFSEK at 620-231-8897 or visit SoutheastKansas.org.
