Lake Forest Knights Of Columbus
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and religious institutions, primarily through scholarships and charitable gifts. It focuses on assisting U.S. citizens who are parishioners of Catholic churches in Lake County, Illinois, particularly those pursuing undergraduate degrees at Catholic colleges and universities. The foundation's mission reflects a commitment to education and community service, aligning with its values of faith-based support and charitable outreach.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small local charities or schools with a Catholic or education focus, and individual scholarship applicants who are Lake County parishioners or preselected by the local Knights of Columbus council.
Good Fit
- • Applicant is a parishioner or has a family member who is a parishioner in Lake County, Illinois.
- • Request is for undergraduate scholarship at a Catholic college or for a small Catholic school or parish program.
- • Applicant is preselected or introduced by the local Knights of Columbus council.
- • Organization has a clear local connection to Lake Forest/Lake County or the Chicago area.
- • Request size is modest (typical grants are in the $1k–$5k range).
Geography
Latest-year grants reached five states but were concentrated in Illinois (about 56% of dollars), so the footprint is regional with some out-of-state awards rather than broadly national.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 13 distinct recipients and across three years the foundation made between 9 and 15 grants annually, with multiple new grantees each year and five repeat recipients, indicating a moderately broad recipient set for a micro private foundation.
New Applicants
Direct evidence shows new recipients appear in the portfolio (eight new in 2024) and a public scholarship application process with deadline and mailing address exists, but the scholarship route requires preselection and parish/residency restrictions, so unfamiliar applicants can be admitted but access is limited and often relationship-driven.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
