Elks National Foundation Blog

Jon Flaherty Donor Services Associate The Chicago Cubs may have had another losing season, but Jon knows that, thanks to generous donors, the ENF will always have a winning season! How long have you worked at the ENF? I’ve been at the ENF for a little more than 4 years. I started out as the Donor Services Assistant in July of 2009, and since then moved into my current role as the Donor Services Associate.    What projects are you/your department working on right now? The Donor Services Department is working on our end of the month procedures. Once our team processes all of the donations we receive within one month, we work on updating our online reports for ENF chairs like the Lodge Per-Capita totals , the Chair Challenge standings , the online record of donations report , and many others. We also print and mail reports out to ENF Chairs , PGERs, and State Sponsors.      What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? I work closely...

 Cody, Wyo., Lodge No. 1611 Spring has sprung, and for Cody, Wyo., Lodge No. 1611 that can only mean one thing—baseball season! The Cody Elks know that playing sports is beneficial—it offers youth an opportunity to exercise and learn good sportsmanship. To support the local little league team, the Elks used an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to hold a barbeque for the athletes and their families. Forget the peanuts and crackerjack. Elks prepared a picnic lunch for more than 600 guests, providing athletes with good food and good company after working hard on the baseball field. To endorse good health even after baseball season ends, the Cody Elks promoted the Lodge’s soccer shoot at the barbeque. “The Promise Grant helped us connect to local youth and encourage them to participate in future Lodge events,” says Project Manager Jerry Fritz. “The soccer shoot participation doubled after the little league picnic.” The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Promi...

East Liverpool, Ohio, Lodge No. 258 Baseball season is wrapping up in the big leagues, but for East Liverpool, Ohio, Lodge No. 258, the love of the game knows no season. The Lodge used its Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to run a youth baseball and softball camp, drawing more than 70 young athletes. Participants worked on the fundamentals of the game, and even got to meet former Pittsburgh Pirate and 1979 World Series champion Grant Jackson. “Everyone had a great time and the participants wanted to know when we would have another camp,” says Event Chair Chad Prologo. The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an event that helps build the character and competence of local youth. To find out more about Promise Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Harrison-East Newark, N.J., Lodge No. 2326 Play ball! Harrison-East Newark, N.J., Lodge No. 2326 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to help local youth get in the game. Elks donated to the Little League; sponsored a team; and helped with the opening day ceremony, parade and barbecue to kick off the season. The Elks National Foundation helps Lodges serve their communities by offering $2,000 Gratitude Grants. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants after meeting the National President’s per-capita goal. To find out more about Gratitude Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Oakmont, Pa., Lodge No. 1668 Play ball! Thanks to an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , members of Oakmont, Pa., Lodge No. 1668, supported the Riverview Athletic Association by funding a portable PA system that can be used for indoor and outdoor kids’ sporting events. Elks look forward to cheering on local student athletes to victory! The ENF awards $2,000 Gratitude Grants to Lodges to directly address local needs. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants after meeting the GER’s per-capita goal. To find out more about Gratitude Grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community . 

Danville, Va., Lodge No. 227 Batter up! With the help of Danville, Va., Lodge No. 227’s Promise Grant , the local high school baseball team holds a successful pancake breakfast fundraiser! Here, the team stands ready to serve breakfast to attendees.