To***co free inside the lodge. HISTORY:
In 1928, one man's dream became a reality for all Elks. Then-Grand Exalted Ruler John F. Malley envisioned a plan that would "unite the forces of the Order into a mighty army for the service of mankind." During the annual Grand Lodge Convention in Miami that year, Malley's call to service inspired delegates to take action by voting to establish the Elks National Foundation with an initial $100,000 grant. Today, the mission of the Elks National Foundation is to help Elks build stronger communities. We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow's leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning; honor the Elks' pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives; and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities. A board of seven trustees, who are all past national presidents of the Order, governs the Elks National Foundation. The Foundation is located at the Elks national headquarters in the Elks Veterans Memorial in Chicago. The director, Jim O'Kelley, oversees the administration of the Foundation's day-to-day operations. He has a staff of 16. The Foundation also has volunteers at the Lodge, district and state levels to help coordinate our fundraising strategy and implement our programs. Since inception, the Foundation has received more than $183.6 million in contributions and bequests. All unrestricted donations go into a permanent endowment fund, where each gift earns interest for lifetimes. Today we boast more than 180,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued at $423.1 million. The ENF has contributed more than $300 million toward Elks' charitable projects nationwide. These funds support our three college scholarship programs, the Elks National Drug Awareness Program, the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program, the Elks National Veterans Service Commission, the Community Investments Program, and grants to State Elks Associations. In recent years, we've remained dedicated to increasing the impact of our programs. For example, we doubled the Legacy Awards scholarship program. The program, which awards scholarships exclusively to children and grandchildren of Elks, is now $1 million strong! In 2010, up to 250 four-year, $4,000 scholarships will be awarded through the Legacy Awards program. With the belief that Elks know the needs of their communities better than we do, we launched the Community Investments Program in June 2005. The program's Gratitude Grants, Promise Grants and Impact Grants invest directly in Lodge communities. In 2009-10, the Gratitude Grants and Promise Grants are worth up to $500 each, in order to give Lodges more resources to make an impact locally. Impact Grants, the program's newest component, are larger, competitive grants intended to address unmet needs in Elk communities. This year, the grant pool again will be $500,000. These funds will help Lodges meaningfully and visibly address needs in their communities. SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ELK? To be eligible for membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, you must be a citizen of the United States over the age of 21 who believes in God. You must be sponsored by a member of the Elks Lodge and reside in the jurisdiction of the Lodge you wish to join. You also need two other Elks who will be your co-sponsors. The Elk who proposes you for membership must obtain a Membership Application from the Lodge Secretary. After your proposer fills in the required portion, you will be given the Application for Membership. Fill it in, following the instructions and answering all questions. Return the completed application to the Lodge Secretary. Your application will be read at a regular Lodge meeting. It will then be forwarded to the Investigating Committee, who will call you and set up a time for you and your sponsor to meet with the committee so that they can interview you. After the interview is concluded, the committee will report to the Lodge concerning your membership. The members will be given a notice not less than 10 days nor more than two months before the vote will be taken. When the vote is concluded, you will be notified and asked to present yourself and your spouse for indoctrination. During indoctrination, you will learn more about the Order's programs and charities. You will also be told during the program the date you will be initiated. After initiation as an Elk, you can take part in all meetings and social functions of the Lodge. If for any reason your application is rejected, you cannot make application for membership for six months from the date of rejection. Use our handy online directory to locate a Lodge near you and be sure to let us know how it turns out. OUR PROGRAMS
Public service is an integral part of being an Elk. In keeping with this tradition, Elks create and participate in many programs to better their communities and demonstrate that Elks Care - Elks Share! Scholarships
Each year the Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.65 million in college scholarships to graduating seniors. Hoop Shoot
The yearly Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program is open to all boys and girls ages 8 through 13. The contest starts at the lodge level and advances through district, state and regional contests before the national finals in the spring. Drug Awareness
The Elks Drug Awareness Program distributes literature and organizes events to make kids and their parents aware of the dangers posed by alcohol, to***co and illegal drugs. Try the program's Drug Awareness quiz and test your knowledge! Youth Activities
Other youth-oriented activities sponsored by the Elks include the Soccer Shoot, the Antlers program, the yearly Americanism essay contest and more. Veterans Programs
Since the early days of Elkdom, the Veterans Service Commission has patriotically served those Elks who have fought for our great nation. OUR MISSION:
To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice,
Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in
God; to promote the welfare and enhance the
happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of
American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to
perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to
provide for its government, the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks of the United States of
America will serve the people and communities
through benevolent programs, demonstrating that
