Knights of Peter Claver, Inc.

What Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. does

Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is a Catholic fraternal nonprofit organization founded on November 7, 1909 in Mobile, Alabama by four Josephite priests and three laymen, and incorporated on July 12, 1911. The organization serves African American Catholics through a parish-based model of local councils (Knights, for men) and courts (Ladies Auxiliary, for women), with additional tiers including the Junior Division (ages 7-18), Meritorious Fourth Degree Knights, and Ladies of Grace. It operates across more than 58 archdioceses and dioceses in the United States, organized through six district structures (Central States, Gulf Coast, Northern States, Texas, Louisiana, Western States), with the Gulf Coast District also serving Colombia. The National Headquarters is located at 1825 Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana (dedicated August 1976), supported by a small national office staff of fewer than 10 people.

The organization's product portfolio consists of membership tiers across the five divisions, supplemented by charitable programs (Saint Peter Claver Foundation grants spanning scholarships, Sickle Cell support, Human Development, Microgrants, and Vacation Bible School), social justice initiatives across five pillars (Criminal Justice Reform, Domestic Violence, Racism, Dignity of Black Lives, Human Trafficking), and a Shopify-based online store selling regalia and merchandise. The official publication, The Claverite magazine, is the bimonthly member communication, and the annual National Convention and Conclave, along with six District Conferences, constitute the primary engagement events. Insurance and retirement products are offered to members through a strategic partnership with Catholic Order of Foresters.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: recurring membership dues and quarterly death assessments, donations and charitable contributions via the Foundation, registration and event revenue from conventions and conferences, referral economics from the COF insurance partnership, and merchandise sales through the KPC online store. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is set at the local council/court and national levels. The organization holds Apostolic Benediction from the Vatican and Episcopal Approbation from Cardinals and Bishops throughout the United States, and is a member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights. There is no proprietary technology platform; digital infrastructure consists of a basic membership management system, the Shopify storefront, and standard social media accounts.

Name

Knights of Peter Claver, Inc.

Legal name

Knights of Peter Claver, Inc.

Website

https://kofpc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is a 115-year-old Catholic fraternal nonprofit serving African American Catholics through parish-based councils and courts across 58+ U.S. dioceses, offering membership tiers, youth programs, charitable grants via its Foundation, and a Catholic-values-aligned insurance partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fraternal Membership Organization

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAG

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYEDADAHAC

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

Keywords

• Catholic fraternal organization
• Fraternal membership services
• Faith-based community programs
• Catholic youth formation
• Religious insurance products

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Assessments: Members pay periodic dues and assessments to support the organization. Death assessments collected quarterly from subordinate units.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations and has a Foundation (Saint Peter Claver Foundation) that raises funds for charitable works, grants, and scholarships.
3. Convention and Event Revenue: Registration fees, souvenir booklets, and event-related revenue from annual National Convention and District Conferences.
4. Insurance Products Partnership: Partnership with Catholic Order of Foresters provides life insurance and retirement products to members, with agents serving KPC members.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online store (KPC Store on Shopify) sells membership supplies, regalia, recruitment materials, promotional items, and branded merchandise.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is a Catholic fraternal organization offering membership-based spiritual development, community service, and social justice advocacy for African American Catholics. The organization operates through parish-based councils (Knights) and courts (Ladies Auxiliary) across more than 58 U.S. archdioceses and dioceses, with affiliated youth (Junior Division, ages 7-18) and honor divisions (Fourth Degree). Members receive fraternal benefits including death benefits, insurance products through a partnership with Catholic Order of Foresters, scholarships, and access to charitable grants via the Saint Peter Claver Foundation.

Product overview

Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is a Catholic fraternal organization offering a multi-tiered membership structure centered around its core Knights division for men and Ladies Auxiliary for women. The organization provides distinct youth programs through the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters (ages 7-18) and honor fourth degree divisions (Meritorious Fourth Degree Knights and Ladies of Grace). Beyond membership, the organization offers charitable giving through the Saint Peter Claver Foundation, which administers grants including Vacation Bible School, Microgrants, Sickle Cell support, Human Development, Soaring High scholarships, Memorial Scholarships, and Charity grants. A partnership with Catholic Order of Foresters provides life insurance and retirement products. The Claverite magazine serves as the official bimonthly publication, while Social Justice Initiatives address five pillars including criminal justice reform, domestic violence, racism, dignity of Black lives, and human trafficking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Knights of Peter Claver Membership A Catholic fraternal membership for men ages 18 and older, organized through parish-based councils. Members participate in spiritual development, community service, and social justice advocacy while receiving fraternal benefits including death benefits and access to group insurance products.
• Ladies Auxiliary Membership A Catholic fraternal membership for women, organized through parish-based courts. Members engage in Catholic fraternal service, spiritual development, and community outreach alongside male Knight counterparts.
• Junior Knights and Junior Daughters Division A Catholic youth membership program for children ages 7-18, split into Junior Knights (boys) and Junior Daughters (girls). Provides age-appropriate spiritual formation, leadership development, peer fellowship, and community service opportunities.
• Meritorious Fourth Degree Knights An honor division within the Knights of Peter Claver offering advanced ceremonial recognition and leadership opportunities for distinguished members who have demonstrated service to the Order.
• Ladies of Grace An honor division within the Ladies Auxiliary providing advanced ceremonial recognition and leadership opportunities for distinguished ladies members.
• Catholic Order of Foresters Insurance Products Life insurance and retirement products available to KPC members through the Catholic Order of Foresters partnership, including whole life (Genesis Life), term life, universal life, disability, and long-term care insurance. Investments managed consistent with Catholic Church teachings; KPC-licensed agents serve members.
• Saint Peter Claver Foundation Grants Charitable grant programs including Vacation Bible School grants, Microgrants, Sickle Cell support, Human Development grants, Soaring High scholarships, Memorial Scholarships, and Charity grants for members and communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 58 Archdioceses and Dioceses nationwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Catholic Order of Foresters (COF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLife insurance and retirement products partnership designed exclusively for Catholic families. COF provides whole life (Genesis Life), term life, and universal life insurance products. KPC members can work with KPC-licensed agents for insurance and retirement planning. Disability and long-term care insurance available through American Fraternal Insurance Services. COF investments managed consistent with Catholic Church teachings.
• AARPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing resources on caregiving, health, finance, and Social Security to KPC members through AARP's Black Community portal.
• Notre Dame Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services partner and advertising sponsor, offering The Elevate Card and other banking products to KPC members.
• Xavier University of LouisianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorically Black Catholic university partner. KPC has supported Xavier University's Development and Expansion Fund. University sponsored National Convention.
• International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational alliance of Catholic fraternal organizations. KPC participates in this global network of Catholic fraternal organizations.
• National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPC participates in National Black Catholic Congress gatherings and has contributed to the organization. Congress convenes every five years with a Pastoral Plan.
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)minorOthersKPC has made contributions and collaborated with NAACP on civil rights and social justice initiatives.
• St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart (Josephites)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization was founded by four Josephite priests (Fathers Conrad F. Rebesher, John H. Dorsey, Samuel J. Kelly, and Joseph P. Van Baast). The Josephites continue to serve as chaplains and spiritual advisors to the Order.
• Saint Peter Claver FoundationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Foundation manages charitable giving, grants (Sickle Cell, Human Development, Soaring High scholarships, Memorial Scholarships, Charity, Microgrants, Vacation Bible School), and fundraising for the Order.
• Sickle Cell Anemia FoundationminorOthersKPC has participated in charitable appeals and made contributions to Sickle Cell research and support.
• The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational FoundationminorOthersKPC has contributed to The Sister Thea Bowman Foundation which supports Black Catholic education.
• Black Catholic Influencers Online DirectoryminorOthersFree directory service connecting Black Catholic clergy, speakers, musicians, and vendors. Sponsored by KPC and related organizations to build community and professional connections.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Black Catholic Congress: The umbrella organization for Black Catholics in the U.S. KPC is a participating member organization. Most directly comparable as a Black Catholic-focused organization, though organized as an advocacy/congress convener rather than a fraternal membership body.
• Catholic Daughters of the Americas: The largest Catholic women's organization in the U.S. with local courts operating at parish level. Most directly comparable to KPC's Ladies Auxiliary structure — same fraternal model, Catholic women's fellowship, parish courts, and degree-based recognition.
• Catholic Order of Foresters: A Catholic fraternal benefit society offering life insurance and annuities to Catholic families. Existing KPC strategic partner for insurance products. Operates a similar faith-aligned fraternal model with values-based investing and parish-based distribution.
• Ancient Order of Hibernians: A Catholic fraternal organization for Irish Americans organized through parish-based divisions. Shares the same parish-level fraternal structure with insurance benefits, charitable works, and degree-based recognition — a direct structural peer even though demographic focus differs.

Broad incumbents

• Knights of the Holy Sepulchre: A Catholic lay fraternal order of the Holy See with members organized through local commanderies. Shares the Vatican-affiliated Catholic fraternal model with ceremonial degrees and global ecclesiastical recognition — comparable institutional structure to KPC.
• Knights of Columbus: The largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world with ~2 million members. While much larger and serving all Catholics (not specifically African American), it shares the same Catholic fraternal model with councils at the parish level, insurance products, and degree-based advancement. Most directly comparable Catholic fraternal peer.

Others

• International Alliance of Catholic Knights: An international alliance of Catholic fraternal organizations. KPC is a member. Functions as an industry association rather than direct competitor, but provides benchmark and peer engagement for Catholic fraternal organizations globally.

Emerging players

• Columbian Squires: The youth program of the Knights of Columbus for Catholic young men ages 12-18. Closest structural peer to KPC's Junior Division — same Catholic fraternal model but specifically for youth development and pipeline formation at parish level.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/claverfamily
• Facebookfacebook.com/claverfamily
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knights-of-peter-claver

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Knights of Peter Claver, Inc.