$26 million dollars. That’s the record amount of funds the Elks National Foundation will invest in Elks communities throughout the 2013-14 fiscal year.
At its February meeting in San Antonio, the Elks National Foundation Board of Trustees approved these record distributions—an increase of 10 percent over the current fiscal year.
Since 1928, the Elks National Foundation has consistently done more for Elks communities. We’ve offered more college scholarships, increased the scope of our programs for youth and veterans, and done more to help Lodges meet local needs. This year is no exception. The Foundation’s increased funding includes the doubling of Community Investments Program Beacon Grants to $2,000 and an increase in funding for the Most Valuable Student scholarship program for the first time in six years.
However, the Elks National Foundation can only do so much. We provide the programs and tools you need to build stronger communities. Now, it’s your turn to use these opportunities effectively. Your Lodge should use ENF programs to build a stronger community in a way 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 things.
Elks’ membership has declined for 32 consecutive years. There are many opportunities for your Lodge to address this membership decline. One important way is by effectively using ENF programs. Through Foundation programs, your Lodge can both meet needs and increase the Elks’ visibility. Your Lodge deserves to be known for all it does to support your community—and your community deserves to know about our great organization. With the recent Elks National Foundation program expansion, you now have even more opportunities to serve others while promoting the Elks as a charitable organization.
With the doubling of Beacon Grants, the ENF Community Investments Program has grown into an $8.5 million dollar program—now the ENF’s largest. Since establishing the CIP in 2005 with a budget of $350,000, the Board has increased funding by more than 2,300 percent. This increased funding stems directly from the Board’s belief that, in addition to helping Lodges build stronger communities, CIP grants can help Lodges improve their membership numbers.
The Board specifically chose to invest twice as much in Beacon Grants, which the ENF officially launched in 2012-13, because of the impressive ways Lodges have used these grants to develop ongoing, Elks-led community projects. These projects demonstrate how Lodges that truly serve their communities—not just with a donation but with active Elks’ support—become integral partners in meeting local needs as well as service organizations that others want to join.
Look at Garland, Texas, Lodge No. 1984. The Lodge expanded its existing partnership with the Dallas VA Hospital by using its Beacon Grant to host 64 hospitalized veterans for a night of dancing and fun. The Lodge invited community members, including the local Cub Scout troop, to volunteer. Through the fellowship and networking that resulted from this project, Garland gained seven new members. Lodge members are currently planning to hold four similar gatherings, expanding on their current success.
Lodges, like Garland, can do big things with these $2,000 grants—and even bigger things by combining Community Investments Program grants. Lodges that pair a Beacon Grant with the Gratitude Grant will have access to $4,000 that they can use to address a community need that they identify. That’s exciting. Now it’s your turn to use these funds and engage fellow Elks and community members in meaningful service.
In addition to increasing the funding for Beacon Grants, the Board also increased funding for the Most Valuable Student scholarship program. The contest will now feature 20 top awards—10 for males, 10 for females—of at least $20,000.
More than 850 new Elks scholars join the Elks family each year. These Elks scholars are tomorrow’s Elks. Let’s get them involved. The ENF provides the scholarship funding, but it’s up to you to engage these scholars in Lodge events and service projects. Scholars need that direct connection to a local Lodge to take the next step and become members.
Take 2006 Legacy Awards recipient Zach Vruwink, for example. After becoming more involved with the Elks by attending the 2012 Elks National Convention as Alum of the Year, Vruwink, the mayor of Wisconsin Rapids, joined his local Lodge to give back.
Vruwink joined because of the Elks’ commitment to local service, which he learned about through direct involvement with the Elks. Elks scholars near your Lodge are, like Vruwink, looking for ways to get involved in the community. Show them that the Elks offer many ways to give back.
$26 million is a lot of money. We need to maximize the impact. It’s your turn to use ENF charitable programs like the Community Investments Program and scholarships to engage your community. By showcasing ourselves as leaders in service, we will encourage others to get involved in building stronger communities. Everyone wins.
To get started, visit www.elks.org/enf for details on how you can build stronger Community Investments Program grant projects and engage local Elks scholars.