Elks National Foundation Blog

by Development Assistant Valerie Moore Thanksgiving is later this week, and like many of you I have gratitude on the mind. I am starting week number seven as the new Development Assistant for the Elks National Foundation. I feel grateful to have chosen to work in the nonprofit sector as this is one small way to improve my corner of the world. The ENF believes in building stronger communities which matches with my personal values so well. The desire to work for a nonprofit took me to Chicago in 2005 to enroll in a master’s degree program geared towards making the performing arts end of the sector better. As luck would have it, my courses taught me how to make all ends better. It taught me how to create functional organizations that also happen to be values-driven. I started working in development in 2007 with the intention to stay. The recession had other plans, and I spent some time in the special events end of fundraising, planning six galas, and creating other platforms for ...

Bill Donnelly Development Coordinator  Bill is collecting Elks pins from every state! Help him fill in his map by sending him your state's pin. How long have you worked at the ENF? One month. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I am currently being trained, working on a variety of different projects and learning everything I can about the ENF. What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? Coming in everyday and being able to work with my friends. Describe your average day at the ENF. I spend a good amount of time answering phones and emails, and the rest of it in trainings and meetings. I learn something new here every single day. What are you looking forward to this summer? This summer is going to be filled with BBQ’s, concerts, festivals and beach trips. What’s one thing about you that might surprise people? I love to play lacrosse. If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Benjamin Franklin. He was one o...

Kate Keating Edsey Development Manager How long have you worked at the ENF? I’ve been with the ENF for just over 5 years. What projects are you/your department working on right now? We’re in the middle of planning for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which means a lot of meetings and budgeting. In Kate shows off posters from previous National Convention ENF Major Donor events. What will the theme be in 2014? addition to planning for the Development department, I’m also managing the logistics for upcoming ENF events. The biggest thing on my to-do list right now is planning for the ENF presence at the 2014 Elks National Convention—visit our new and improved ENF booth in New Orleans! What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? Working with the ENF Fundraising Chairs is the best thing about my role at the ENF. The passion and commitment these volunteers have for the ENF and their community is inspiring. Describe your average day at the ENF. I don’t think there is an ...

Erin Rohan Development Manager Erin enjoys the company of her desk plant and the morning sun. How long have you worked at the ENF? About six years. I joined the ENF staff in June 2007. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I am launching a new staff position at full speed! As of October 1st, I’m charged with improving the annual fundraising efforts of the ENF while ensuring best use of the tools and knowledge we have here at the office. Right now among other things, I’m preparing personalized appeal letters for thousands of ENF donors asking for their continued support this season. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I encourage and recognize the hard work of ENF fundraising volunteers! Leadership Pins and contests such as the Leadership Challenge and the Chair Challenge only reveal a fraction of the success these ENF Chairs achieve. We thank them all year long, but ENF Month brings a special opportunity.      ...

By Erin Rohan, Development Associate Sometimes, I think of fables like ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ or ‘The Grasshopper and the Ant’ when I think of our ENF donors. From them, as a member of the ENF Development department, I learn similar lessons of steady commitment, hard work, charity and cooperation. The Elks National Foundation persists no matter what—that’s something I appreciate. But more so, I appreciate my position to witness charitable, generous Elks supporting the Foundation year after year. Saying thank you to these donors is one of my favorite parts! In 2007, the ENF Loyalty Club began. Because donors give in different ways, we recognize donors in different ways. The ENF Loyalty Club exists as one of those ways. The members of the ENF Loyalty Club teach us the most valuable lesson about winning. They have made a donation to the Foundation each and every fiscal year for the past 10 or more years. A decade and more of consecutive giving? Now that’s something special...