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A Little Bit Goes a Long Way

by Marcee Northey
Donor Services Manager

The Elks National Foundation Donor Services team processes all of the donations generous Elks send in every day. We scan the checks, look up Lodge numbers and ENF Donor IDs, and enter all of the information into our system, crediting members and Lodges. I personally process Fidelity Club donations, which is my favorite way to support the ENF.

The Fidelity Club is our automatic monthly giving program, and it makes supporting the Foundation super easy. It also helps keep our costs low because less staff time is spent processing the donations. Members set up an automatic credit card charge or direct debit from their checking account. Others can join by participating in their company’s payroll-deduction program. That’s how I participate, and I’m a Century member in the Club. You can find out more about the Fidelity Club and special recognition on our website. It has a really great pin!


The minimum donation amount is only $5 per month, which also makes it really easy. I just give up a McDonald’s value meal each paycheck. The coffee drinkers in the office sacrifice one of their daily fancy Starbucks lattes. Having an automatic donation also allows us to increase our annual giving easily. Writing a $100 check might not be possible for everyone, but a small automatic charge or deduction is not as noticeable come payday. Many ENF staff have reached the Honorary Founder cumulative level of giving just through the payroll-deduction program at the office.
 
So, join the Fidelity Club. It makes supporting the ENF really simple, and a little bit goes a long way through a monthly donation. You can even designate your gift to your favorite ENF program!

Comments

  1. Vern Singleton, Lodge/District chairMarch 8, 2016 at 8:19 PM

    I fully concur that automatic deductions are the way to go, as I have been doing for many years. However, I have totally been ineffective in convincing my lodge members to do either auto or periodic submittals--none via credit card.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vern! Some members may be concerned about credit card fraud and the security of their account information. You can assure them that our system is very secure. Also, make sure to point out that a little bit can go a long way towards their giving total, and to helping the Lodge. Do your members know that the ENF gave back almost $1 million to New York last year? That includes $337,000.00 in Lodge grants through the Community Investments Program.

      -Marcee

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