The Elks National Foundation helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work.
In 1928, one man’s dream became a reality for all Elks and the communities we serve. Then National President John F. Malley envisioned a plan that would “unite the forces of the Order into a mighty army for the service of mankind.” During the annual Grand Lodge Convention in Miami that year, Malley’s call to service inspired delegates to take action by voting to establish the Elks National Foundation with an initial $100,000 grant.
The mission of the ENF is to help Elks build stronger communities by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with lifelong skills; honor the Elks’ pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives; and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.
Since inception, the ENF has contributed more than $500 million toward Elks’ charitable projects nationwide. Our programs continue to grow each year, allowing Elks to do even more to build stronger communities. This year, the ENF will invest $14.9 million in Elks communities through Community Investments Program grants for Elks Lodges. Community Investments Program grants offer our Lodge an opportunity to raise the Lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and attract new members by gaining the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great things.
Another $10.3 million was granted to the state Elks associations through State Charities Grants, Special Project Grants and Bonus Grants, which help fund each state’s charitable activities. Click here to see how the ENF has helped Florida.
Every National President establishes a per-member-giving goal to encourage support of the Elks National Foundation. For 2021-22, National President Keith Mills kept the goal at $4.80, acknowledging that we remain in a difficult fundraising environment. Lodges that reach the per-member-giving goal this year are eligible for a Gratitude Grant next year.
Our Lodge continues to be a strong supporter of the ENF. Here is a snapshot by the ENF of our Lodge’s fundraising status:
The ENF Community Investments Program
Includes the following types of grants:
- Impact – for charitable projects
- Gratitude – for meeting per-member goal
- Promise – for a local youth event
- Beacon – for new or ongoing charitable projects
- Spotlight – for family literacy and homelessness among our nation’s veterans
- Freedom – to meet the needs of today’s veterans and military members.
Our Lodge continues to receive most, if not all of six available grants from the Elks National Foundation. Many thanks to our grant writer Flo Synenko. The ENF grants and grants from the Florida State Elks Association are used to fund:
- The Elks Love Kids of Character Program at Vero Beach Elementary;
- Dictionaries 3rd grade students in many schools in Indian River County;
- Indian River County Veterans and their families in financial need;
- Intellectually challenged young people gain employment skills;
- Supplies for the Positive Behavior Store at the Hibiscus Children’s Center;
- Food for needy families during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- The Wabasso School Christmas Party and Easter Egg Hunt for special needs children.
The ENF is able to help Elks build stronger communities thanks to contributions from our generous donors. Since inception, the ENF has received nearly $288.1 million in contributions and bequests. Today we boast more than 100,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued at $693.8 million.
The Elks National Foundation provides $4.68 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs.
The ENF will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the competition. Applications for the ENF Most Valuable Student Scholarships are available on ENF website: www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm. The 2022 application is open. The deadline for submitting an application is November 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m., Pacific Time.
ENF also offers Legacy Scholarships to children and grandchildren of Elks members after 3 years of membership. Legacy Awards are $4,000 scholarships ($1,000 per year for four years). The foundation will offer a total of up to 250 awards Applications are available online at http://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/Legacy.cfm. The 2022 contest and application opened on September 1, 2021. The deadline for 2022 applications is February 7, 2022.
In 2019 three Legacy Scholarships were awarded from to children/grandchildren from our Lodge: Anna Birnholz, Cody Lanier and Sean Zatz.
ENF also offers Emergency Education Grants for children or grandchildren of deceased Elks members who were providing support of the student. Grant amounts are based on the information submitted in the application and can range up to $4,000. Applications available at scholarship@elks.org. All applications must be submitted to and processed by the Lodge where the Elk parent or stepparent is or was a member. All applications must be received by the ENF Scholarship Office by November 1, 2021.
The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship is an exclusive scholarship opportunity just for Elks scholars pursuing a medical degree or Osteopathic Medicine degree. They are scholarships offered to Elks scholars entering their first year of medical school. For more information visit https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MedicalSchoolScholarship.cfm
Any and all questions should be addressed to Donna Knerr, the Lodge Scholarship Committee Chairperson, here.
For more information about the ENF visit their home page.
Click here to lend your financial support to the Elks National Foundation.
