This collection documents the activities of the National Ideal Benefit Society (NIBS), an African American insurance cooperative headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. It also contains related papers of NIBS founder A.W. Holmes. The correspondence in the collection is mostly written by African Americans, from NIBS policy holders to leaders of the African American community. There is also correspondence between A.W. Holmes and various local churches and benefit societies, national charitable and activist organizations, undertakers and mortuaries, and transportation companies. The administrative records of NIBS document the structure and day-to-day operations of an African American charitable organization, from its early days through the 1960s. Included are official publications documenting the mission and workings of NIBS, such as convention minutes and the organization’s constitution, as well as speeches and publications, financial records, and a large number of invitations and programs for events put on by NIBS. Furthermore, the collection contains numerous records relating to NIBS insurance policies held by African Americans, including membership applications, policy changes, insurance certificates, and death notices. Materials include letters, pamphlets, realia, clippings, death certificates, insurance policies, photographs, meeting minutes, and financial records.