Elks National Foundation Blog

Christian County, Mo., Lodge No. 2777 Elks at Christian County, Mo., Lodge No. 2777 helped local students start the school year off right. The Lodge combined its Promise and Beacon grants to take 80 students in need on a back-to-school shopping spree. Elks helped each student pick out necessities ranging from shoes to coats. Through this project, the Lodge attracted more than $5,000 in additional community support. “We want children to be comfortable and confident when they return to school,” says Project Manager Tom Shelton. The Elks National Foundation will help Lodges meet local needs by investing up to $6.5 million this year in Elks communities through Beacon, Gratitude, Promise and Impact Grants. These grants offer Lodges an opportunity to serve the community in ways that will raise the Lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great th...

Bellafonte, Pa., Lodge No. 1094 Bellafonte, Pa., Lodge No. 1094 partnered with Penn State’s 4-H mentoring program to provide school supplies, backpacks, dictionaries and support to more than 250 students in need. With the help of an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Elks held a picnic where students could collect their supplies. Here, Lodge President Dale Moore passes out the school supplies. 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 .   

Green Cove Springs, Fla., Lodge No. 1892 Green Cove Springs, Fla., Lodge No. 1892 makes sure local students have everything they need to succeed. The Lodge used its Community Investments Program Gratitude Grant to partner with a local children’s charity. Together, they provided backpacks full of school supplies to 600 students in need. When all was packed and ready, Elks and other volunteers delivered the supplies to five different local schools. The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Gratitude Grants to Lodges to directly address local needs. 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 .   

Mountain Home, Ark., Lodge No. 1714 Mountain Home, Ark., Lodge No. 1714 used its Gratitude Grant to help kids in need. Elks contacted teachers, counselors and nurses at local schools to see what students lacked. They then shopped for everything from school supplies to clothes and shoes, so the schools could distribute the materials to any child who could use them. The ENF awards 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 .