For Professional Advisors

As an Advisor, you can help your clients build a legacy of generosity

Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund is a trusted resource to make giving easy and ensure your clients’ generosity aligns with their Catholic faith.

Build Trust with Your Clients

Guide your clients on their charitable giving, not just their investments.

Legacy Planning

Help your clients ensure their legacy of Catholic philanthropy lasts generations.

Charitable Solution

Help clients manage their generosity in an organized, tax-efficient, and worry-free way.

The Knights Difference

Backed by over 140 years of committed support for the Catholic Church

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

At Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, we understand the value you bring to your clients and know your clients trust you to help them pursue their financial goals without sacrificing their faith.

As a trusted Advisor, you are in a unique position to discuss charitable giving with your clients — which will help you learn about your clients’ values, charitable goals, and plan their legacy of generosity. With a donor-advised fund, like the Charitable Fund at Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, you can help guide your clients on ways to maximize their giving in a way consistent with their goals and their faith.

Donor-advised funds, like the Charitable Fund at Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, can meet many different client giving needs. Donor-advised funds allow your clients to donate now, potentially receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend charitable grants later. Meanwhile, their contributions to a donor-advised fund can grow tax-free.

WHY CHARITABLE PLANNING

Offering a donor-advised fund through Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund can help you attract new clients, retain existing ones, and increase your assets under management. More importantly, discussing a donor-advised fund allows you to have a meaningful conversation with your clients about their generosity as you help them pursue their financial goals without sacrificing their faith.

Clients want to talk about charitable giving

According to a 2018 report on philanthropic conversations by U.S. Trust, clients expect their advisors to play an important role in their charitable giving plans.

The U.S. Trust Study of Philanthropic Conversations

Strengthen your relationship with your clients

Talking about charitable giving and donor-advised funds through Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund can strengthen your relationship with your clients. Having a conversation around giving will help you learn about your clients’ values, charitable goals, and interests. These conversations can also help you build relationships with a client’s extended family and could help retain your clients for the long term.

Holistic approach to your clients needs

Donor-advised funds, like the Charitable Fund at Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, can meet many different client giving needs. A donor-advised fund opens up charitable opportunities for clients to give assets beyond cash.

CLIENT EDUCATION RESOURCES

IARCP Guide

Use this guide to understand how you can help your clients establish their legacy of generosity

Learn more

IRA Brochure

Learn more about using your required minimum distribution to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution

Learn more

Endowment fund brochure

An excellent solution to provide long-term support for their favorite charitable organizations.

Learn more

Council Account Brochure

As an IAR, learn how you can assist Councils in growing their charitable assets.

Learn more

Contact information

CONTACT US TO GET STARTED

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about opening an account, please feel free to contact us.

1-833-877-0728

charitablefund@kofc.org

Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ section is intended for Knights of Columbus Investment Advisor Representatives. If you are a financial advisor outside the Knights of Columbus, please contact KCCF at (833) 877-0728 and we will be happy to help you.

How do I set up an account for my client?

As an IAR, you are able to open a Charitable Fund on behalf of your client by utilizing the online IAR Account Opening application. Complete single sign-on through Agent Portal and select the KCCF icon.

For additional account types, accounts can be opened by completing fillable PDF applications.

For step-by-step instructions, please utilize the IAR Charitable Program Guide. Investment Advisor Representative Charitable Program.

What types of accounts can I open as the IAR?

You can open the following accounts on behalf of your clients:

Charitable Fund - this is the only type of account you can open online. You can also utilize the fillable PDF application as well.

Restricted Fund - applications must be completed either by fillable PDF or by paper.

Council Account – IARs are not able to complete an application on behalf of a council but you are able to guide council officers through the process of completing the online application as well as assist the Council with their investments by completing the IAR Nomination Form found on Supplies Online.

Endowment Fund - if a client is interested in opening an Endowment Fund or creating an Endowment Fund as the succession plan for another account, please contact KCCF at (833) 877-0728.

What is needed to open an account?

Please refer to the IAR Charitable Program Guide for step-by-step instructions on what information should be provided when opening an account.

You can also refer to the IAR Information Sheet found in Supplies Online for additional information on each account type.

Are the administrative and investment advisory fees separate, and what is the total cost?

Yes, administrative and investment advisory fees are separate. Please see question below for fee schedules. Total fees are based on account balances as noted.

What are the fees associated with KCCF accounts and how are they structured?

Administrative Fee Schedule

All fees are calculated daily and charged to the charitable accounts on a monthly basis.

Account Balance	Annual Administrative Fee
First $250,000	0.75% or $120 (whichever is greater)
Next $250,000	0.65%
Next $500,000	0.50%
Next $1,000,000	0.45%
Next $3,000,000	0.40%

Individuals looking to open charitable accounts with an initial value greater than $5,000,000 should contact (833) 877-0728 for the fee schedule.

Charitable Investment Advisory Fee Schedule

Any direct investment expenses not included in the Charitable Investment Advisory Fee, such as mutual fund operating expenses that are incurred by KCCF, will be allocated to the individual charitable account participating in the IARCP.

Account Balance	IAR Fee
Less than $1 million	0.50%
Less than $1 million	0.50%
$1 million to less than $2.5 million	0.45%
$2.5 million to less than $5 million	0.30%
$5 million to less than $15 million	0.35%
$15 million or more	0.30%

Can my client satisfy their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to a donor-advised fund?

Federal law does not permit QCDs to donor-advised fund accounts, but it does allow QCDs into a Restricted Fund. KCCF has created a Restricted Fund to support individual charities. Learn more: IRA Charitable Rollovers with KCCF

Where can I find marketing materials and forms for KCCF?

Resources including marketing materials, forms, and approved ads, can be found on Supplies Online > KCCF.

Is there a minimum amount for contributions?

No, there is no minimum amount for account contributions.

Note: For Council Account check donations under $250.00, a $10.00 processing fee will be incurred and charged back to your Council Account.

Is there a minimum for grants?

Yes, $25.00 is the minimum amount for grant recommendations.

Where can I find documentation needed for tax purposes?

Fund statements can be found on the Portal Dashboard.

For more detailed information about finding statements, please see page 15 of the IAR Charitable Program Guide.

How do I know what charities are acceptable for grants?

KCCF will only allow grant recommendations to 501(c)(3) public charities whose purposes or activities do not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church.

A listing of previously approved charitable organizations can be found in the Donor Portal when making grant recommendations. While we are unable to provide an offline list of approved grantees, the list is growing every day.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS’ FAMILY OF FINANCIAL PRODUCTS

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Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors serves as the investment advisor of Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund and others with investment strategies and products that adhere to Catholic guidelines and values.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ASSET ADVISORS

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Knights of Columbus Insurance

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society, which means they can provide financial security to members and their families, while turning premiums into charitable impact.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS INSURANCE

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What it means to be a Knight

The Knights of Columbus are Catholic men who lead, serve, protect and defend. They share a desire to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors and role models and to put charity and community first.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEMBERSHIP

START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY

Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund is here to help your clients build a charitable legacy. If you have questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

CONTACT US