The Quebec councils of the Knights of Columbus have raised more than $1.4 million through La Campagne des oeuvres charitables, the organization's largest annual fundraiser in the province, now in its 49th year — a result made possible in large part by the financial strength of one of North America's most substantial fraternal insurance operations.
"We are overwhelmed by the interest and support of Quebecers for this noble annual appeal. Charity is at the heart of what the Knights do, and it's what drives the success of this effort," Lorenzo Quirion, provincial coordinator for the campaign, said. "We will use the funds to support those in need at home, but we continue to rally support through other campaigns in order to give back to communities around the world too."
Proceeds will be directed to local and regional organizations across Quebec, including distribution of new winter coats through the Coats for Kids program, wheelchairs, donations to hospital foundations, food banks, Special Olympics Quebec, and other programs supporting people in need. The campaign runs through the sale of raffle tickets distributed across the province by members of the Order.
A special draw was held on April 11 during the Quebec State Convention at Le Victorin Hotel and Conference Centre in Victoriaville, with prizes totaling $200,000 distributed to 15 winners.
In Quebec, the organization counts more than 70,000 members across more than 600 councils and local groups, who collectively directed $15.75 million in financial and in-kind contributions to local causes in the most recent reporting period. Globally, members donated $197 million to charity in 2025 and devoted 48 million hours to volunteer service
The fundraising activity is inseparable from the Knights of Columbus's standing as one of North America's most financially substantial fraternal benefit societies. The organization currently has more than $124 billion of life insurance in force and manages more than $30 billion in assets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors.
AM Best has affirmed its Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "aa" (Superior), with a stable outlook, reflecting the Order's strongest-level risk-adjusted capitalization and consistently favorable earnings trends driven primarily by its whole life product line.
The Knights of Columbus operates as a fraternal benefit society, a structure that allows it to provide financial security to members and their families while directing insurance premiums toward charitable impact. Fraternal benefit societies are unique to North America, combining the member-owned business model of a mutual insurance company with the social mission of a faith-based organization, providing members with life insurance and investment products while carrying out charitable giving and community service through local chapters.
The Knights offers members term life, whole life, universal life, long-term care, disability income insurance, and annuity products, with all field agents required to be members of the Order — aligning the distribution model directly with the organization's community identity.
A Georgetown University study found that fraternal benefit societies deliver $3.4 billion in annual value to communities and individuals through charitable contributions, volunteerism, and social capital, underlining the broader societal impact of the fraternal model beyond financial protection.
For the Knights of Columbus in Quebec, the annual charitable campaign is the most visible expression of that model in action, with the insurance operation providing both the financial stability and the member network that makes large-scale community fundraising possible year after year.
