Knights of Columbus's Big Check to NOM

One of the most prominent Catholic societies for charity and service also spent millions of dollars to fight marriage equality in 2009.

According to The Washington Independent, the Knights of Columbus donated $1.4 million to the National Organization for Marriage. While NOM has yet to release its 2009 fund-raising totals, the organization received $2.9 million in charitable contributions in 2008, during which it campaigned for a California ballot initiative to constitutionally ban marriage equality.

"It was a fairly simple, straightforward decision," Patrick Korten, vice president for communications for the Knights, said in the article. "We are pro-family, and believe strongly in the defense of marriage. NOM is the single most important group engaged in defending marriage."