Elks National Foundation Blog

Jerome, Ariz., Lodge No. 1361   Jeans? $13. T-shirt? $7. Gym shoes? $14. Providing clothes for youth in need? Priceless. Using an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant , Jerome, Ariz., Lodge No. 1361 took 26 local students back-to-school shopping. The Lodge partnered with teachers in the community to determine which students would most benefit from new school clothes, and then they were off to the store! Elks shopped with the students to buy what they needed—from socks to dresses. “The students ranged from 4-years-old to 14-years-old,” says Community Investments Program Project Manager Janet Leuer. “They were all very excited to have new clothes to start school.” Interested in serving local youth in need? Don’t wait to apply for a Promise Grant! These $2,000 grants are going quickly—fewer than half are still available! Click here for full Promise Grant details, including access to the online application. Elks are committed to America’s future. To build the character...

Galesburg, Ill., Lodge No. 894 Using an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant , Galesburg, Ill., Lodge No. 894 helped children in need find a new pair of shoes. Elks partnered with the local school district and its teachers to determine which students would most benefit from new shoes. Each selected child paired with an Elks volunteer, received two new pairs of socks and was fitted to make sure their new shoes were the right size. “Our project successfully helped 350 needy children in our community receive a new pair of shoes,” says Community Investments Program Project Manager Alphonse Urena. Elks are committed to America’s future. To build the character and competence of local youth, the Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an eligible youth event. To find out more about Promise Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Lodge No. 2517 Not even the polar vortex this winter could stop the Elks from helping community members in need! Using an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant , Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Lodge No. 2517 purchased and distributed coats, hats, shoes, gloves and jeans for local youth in need. Elks partnered with the Osage Upper Elementary School to determine which students would benefit most from new cold-weather gear. Thanks to the Beacon Grant, the Lake of the Ozarks Elks provided winter supplies for 44 students—and found 44 new friends! “Thank you for your kindness,” says Osage Upper Elementary School Counselor Beverly Kincade. “We are blessed to live in such a caring community. Your generosity has made a difference in the lives of children.” Don’t miss the opportunity to serve your community with $2,000! Beacon Grants, available to every Lodge, help Lodges like Lake of the Ozarks hold ongoing, Elks-led charitable projects. Don’t wait! Applicati...

Islip, N.Y., Lodge No. 2533 President Bush hails from New Haven, Conn. President Truman grew up in Independence, Mo., and President Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Va. The Elks hope that in 2036, our nation’s President calls Islip, N.Y. home. To help youth learn more about public service, Islip, N.Y., Lodge No. 2533 used an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to teach middle school students about Islip’s local government. The Elks and the students explored Islip by meeting with the town supervisor, visiting Town Hall, and touring local facilities like the airport and the recycling center. After their educational morning, Elks treated the students to lunch in town, where they talked about what they learned on their trip. “Our Promise Grant project allowed the Lodge to maintain a good relationship with the town and its schools,” says Project Manager Bruce Trezise. “Students learned about the Elks, their town and local government.” The Elks National Foundation awards $2,00...

Goodland, Kan., Lodge No. 1528 The Elks at Goodland, Kan., Lodge No. 1528 spread healthy eating habits to the community! Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Goodland Lodge provided healthy afternoon snacks for students in need at a local elementary school. Throughout the school year, Elks prepared and delivered nutritious food to students and teachers in need two days each week. The Elks enjoyed providing a variety of fruits and veggies and the students enjoyed trying them all! “We gave the students the opportunity to try many different kinds of fruits and vegetables,” says Project Manager Zona Price. “They were treated to berries, melons, pineapple, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and much more.” With the help of the Gratitude Grant, the Elks encourage students to eat healthily—a message that some do not receive at home. “Keeping our children safe and healthy is our first and foremost concern,” says School District Superintendent Bill Biermann. “P...

Valparaiso, Ind., Lodge No. 500 Elks at Valparaiso, Ind., Lodge No. 500 used an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to ensure local children had a safe place to spend time after school—Hilltop House’s Walt’s Place. Hilltop House’s Walt’s Place is a youth center that provides everything from hot meals to tutoring for the students to ESL classes for their parents. “This organization is a local success story that impressed us all,” says Project Manager Steven Justman. 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 .   

Clark Fork Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757 Clark Fork Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757 used its Community Investments Program Promise Grant to build a new playground at a local school. Elks purchased supplies and held a workday where each child at the school came out to help, learning from the Elks volunteers. After the project was finished, a local Native American teacher showed the children how to hold a “sit-in ceremony” to commemorate their new playground. “What a day,” said Project Manager Connie Scott, when asked about the experience. “There were kids and Elks everywhere. Thanks so much for this grant.” The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Community Investments Program Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an event that helps build the character and competence of youth in their community. To find out more about Promise 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 .   

Orange, Calif., Lodge No. 1475 Orange, Calif., Lodge No. 1475 used its Community Investments Program Gratitude Grant to promote literacy. The Lodge purchased dictionaries for all the 3rd graders in the county—a total of 2,400 students! Here, students are showing off their brand new books. 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Madison, Tenn., Lodge No. 2473 Madison, Tenn., Lodge No. 2473 used its Community Investments Program Gratitude Grant to make sure students have everything they need for a successful school year. Elks partnered with local schools to purchase clothes for students in need, which will be distributed throughout the year.  “Community Investments Program grants really heighten the awareness of the Elks' work in the community and spread good will toward the members,” says Project Manager Randall Vaughn. 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 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 .

Coos Bay, Ore., Lodge No. 1160 Thanks to its ENF Impact Grant , the Coos Bay Lodge provides weekend snack packs to children at Blossom Gulch Elementary School. Check out this video coverage of the Lodge’s project! The ENF awards Impact Grants to help Lodges significantly address unmet needs in Elks communities. Impact Grants are competitive grants worth up to $10,000 and are open to all Lodges. To find out more about Impact Grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .