Commandery of St. Francis
Knights Hospitaller OSJ
About Us
The Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller is an international Order of Chivalry, dedicated to provide charitable support for those in need. This ecumenical, Christian order of chivalry is descended from the Knights Hospitaller, an organization founded in the Holy Lands 900 years ago.
The Aims of the Order of Saint John, Knights Hospitaller
As a philanthropic organization The Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller brings together ladies and gentlemen of distinction willing to contribute to the good of their fellow man. Each Commandery of the Order provides practical or financial charitable support for selected causes as proposed and agreed upon by the Commandery members, the Knights or Dames.
Membership of the Knights Hospitaller brings with it the honor and responsibility for carrying on the centuries-old history and traditions of the Order, as well as the opportunity to interact with a diverse and interesting group of dedicated members around the world.
For more information about the Order of St. John, click here.
The Commandery of St. Francis
The Commandery of St. Francis was the first commandery established on the West Coast and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its membership is comprised largely of serving and retired officers of the Armed Forces of the United States and allied nations.
Rooted in the traditions of the original Knights Hospitaller, the Commandery is dedicated to supporting recently wounded and injured service veterans. This mission is carried out by raising funds and directing support to carefully selected veterans’ programs throughout the Bay Area, while fostering camaraderie and shared purpose among its members.
Members contribute an annual tithe and are expected to participate actively in fundraising efforts. As an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff or directors, the Commandery operates with virtually no overhead. Minimal administrative costs are fully covered by member contributions, ensuring that every dollar raised from the public is passed directly to the programs we support.
Funding decisions are made through a member-driven process: programs are proposed by members and reviewed and selected by a Commandery committee. Supported programs must directly benefit injured veterans in Northern California. The Commandery typically focuses on smaller, high-impact initiatives in their early stages—where modest funding can make a meaningful difference. Programs are generally funded for one to three years, reviewed annually, and continued based on demonstrated need and effectiveness.