Established in 1882, the Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal benefit society. Based in San Bernardino, Calif., it provides charity and financial aid to members and their families, along with mutual aid/assistance to the disabled, sick and needy members. The society promotes social and intellectual fellowship through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war and public relief works. It offers various scholarships and volunteer services as well as insurance products, including life, long-term care insurance and retirement products. The Knights of Columbus has more than 14,000 councils throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and many other countries.