What is a Fraternal Benefit Society

Fraternal benefit societies are not-for-profit membership organizations with a representative form of governance providing more than 10 million Americans with insurance and other financial products, along with fraternal benefits, such as scholarships, educational publications and discount programs. Members gather in local chapters and receive financial and material support to enhance their communities through social outreach and grassroots volunteering. Operating in America for more than 150 years, fraternal benefit societies have positively impacted our nation.

A benefit society can be characterized by:

• members having equivalent opportunity for a say in the organization
• members having potentially equivalent benefits.
• aid would go to those in need (strong helping the weak)
• collection fund for payment of benefits
• educating others about a group's interest
• preserving cultural traditions