Columbus Charities, Inc. was established in 1974 and funding was originally derived from an annual raffle. The proceeds were used to fulfill requests from 501 (c) (3) organizations. In the past 49 years, funds in excess of $1,700,000 have been made available through a grant process. Previous grants made for community, youth programs, Special Olympics Silver Donor and the Community Champion of the Year award, Special Olympics Washington event website coverage, E-communications, event ads, free advertisement, presentation slides at events, social media recognition, logo exposure at all State games, Polar Plunge, tasting room events, logo inclusion on Special Olympics Washington website locations. Some of the other 55+ organizations benefited, ARC, Dwelling Place, Upper Valley Connection, Camp Prime Time, L’Arche, etc.

In 2011, the Board of Directors of Columbus Charities, Inc., established the Tootsie Roll Program where councils hold drives across the State offering specific tootsie rolls to all without a donation. This program has generated in excess of $1.2 million dollars and continues to be a very strong program to help those with disabilities.

LAMB (Least of All My Brethren) 1882 began in 2022 and has generated over $80,000 since inception. These funds will benefit those that assist with the hungry, clothing those in need and pro-life education. This program will eventually bridge the gap between what a council can do, to Supreme programs. Our Washington State Council is not a funding source, but infrastructure support for councils leaving a good will gap. LAMB 1882 will eventually help bridge that gap. Download the LAMB 1882 brochure

The Coats for Kids program was added in 2020. Just this past year, 10,564 coats were issued providing warmth to children in need. Councils and donors contributed over $98,000 to this very successful program

Columbus Charities has partnered with Global Wheelchair Program and KCHelp (Knights of Columbus Hospital Lending Program) in providing thousands of wheel chairs in Washington State and beyond.

Individual and Council Charter Memberships!!
The Columbus Charities, Inc. is ready to lift the gangplank, leave the pier and get underway on a journey to a new legacy.
We encourage you to be a Charter Individual or Charter Council for this maiden voyage. Your individual gift of $50 or Council gift of $250 qualifies you as a Charter Member of which all will be honored at our State Convention in May 2010 and reported in our State Bulletin. We need you on board as members of the crew.

Memorials: Preserve the memory of a loved one through a memorial gift. Ask family, friends, and businesses to also contribute to the fund. This amount is then dedicated on behalf of him/her and becomes a permanent memorial.

Honorariums : Honor someone special in your life by remembering them on a special occasion or in a time of need. Their name is added to the K of C prayer list.

Cash or Check : Cash or checks in any amount are always appreciated. Check with your place of employment to see if they have a “matching gift” program, such as MicroSoft Employee Gifting Program, Fred Meyer’s Rewards Program, Amazon Smile, etc. It is very easy to sign up, check with your employer. Checks or donation match must be made out to Columbus Charities. These funds will either be made available through our Charities Fund or LAMB 1882.

Securities : Gifts of stocks and bonds can also be donated. Check with your tax consultant on the benefits you might derive from such a donation.

Life Insurance : Donate a policy in any amount to the Columbus Charities Fund and receive an immediate tax deduction. Check with your tax consultant.

Bequests : Columbus Charities, Inc. may be named as the residuary beneficiary of your estate, the recipient of a specified gift or contingent bequest, or the ultimate beneficiary of the assets of a charitable remainder trust.

Real Estate : When you donate real estate, or personal property, that property is sold and the proceeds go to Columbus Charities, Inc. Check with your tax consultant concerning whether the appraised value of the property may be used as a tax deduction.