Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
| Abbreviation | HOKC |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Honorable Order |
| Formation | September 1933 |
| Founder | Ruby Laffoon |
| Founded at | Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Type | Non-Profit 501(c)(3) |
| 61-0485432 | |
| Registration no. | KY-0023672 |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Charitable, Philanthropic |
| Headquarters | Kentucky |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 38°14′22″N 85°45′14″W / 38.23944°N 85.75389°W |
| Products | Memorabilia, Apparel, Baseball caps, Souvenirs |
| Services | Membership, Events, Scholarships, Grants |
| Methods | Fundraising |
| Membership | 30,000+ (2020) |
Commanding General | General Gary Boschert |
Executive Director | Col. Sherry Crose |
Key people | Board of Trustees |
| Affiliations | Kentucky Colonels Shop |
| Website | Kentucky Colonels |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Registered as a trademark in | U.S. Patent and Trademark Office |
| Tagline | Established in 1813 |
| Website | Kentucky Colonels Shop |
| "Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels" and "Kentucky Colonels" are registered trademarks of the HOKC under various US and international classes with the USPTO to promote the good will and philanthropic work of the organization. | |
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels also known as "Kentucky Colonels" or "HOKC" is a charitable, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization engaged in collective philanthropy for Kentuckians on the behalf of thousands of who have received a Kentucky Colonel commission from around the world. In 2020 the organization raised over 2.9 million dollars to provide small grants to 177 non-profit organizations in Kentucky. The organization makes an impact on millions of lives each year through all the organizations it serves.
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels does not actually commission Kentucky Colonels. Instead, that power remains with the current Kentucky governor, as it has since Isaac Shelby's administration starting in 1792. Currently there is an application filed with the governor's office in Frankfort that allows people to submit nominations for a person to become a Kentucky Colonel.