Read about how Dover, Del., Lodge No. 1903 works with community partners to offer children a chance to practice and develop skills that will help them become better bicyclists.
Manasquan, N.J., Lodge No. 2534, wanted to be seen as a welcoming place for everyone, including those with little to no English language skills. Read on for how it succeeded with its goal.
Christmas is in the air! Learn about Clay Center,
Kan., Lodge No. 2235 and their successful Beacon Grant project, which brings the spirit of Christmas to individuals with developmental disabilities.
In recognition of Veterans Remembrance Month, see how Biloxi, Miss., Lodge No. 606 uses its Beacon Grant to support veterans transitioning from homelessness.
BOO! Happy Halloween! The only thing more startling than that intro is how spooktacularly our Lodges have used CIP grants to host engaging, educational and charitable Halloween events!
With the assistance of a Gratitude Grant, Ashland, Ore., Lodge No. 944 works with community partners to end stigma and create hope for teens affected by mental illness.
With the help of a Beacon Grant, Sandpoint, Idaho, Lodge No. 1376 has been able to create a flourishing edible garden program for local elementary schools.
Remember 2017 Gratitude Grant applications close May 31! Read on to see how St. George Dixie, Utah, Lodge No. 1743 uses water sports to improve the social and cognitive skills of children and adults with disabilities.
Valentine’s Day may have been created to sell heart-shaped candy and sappy cards, but it is also a good time to focus on people in need in your Lodge’s community.
January 16 marks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day in which citizens from across the country come together in service to honor Dr. King's legacy. Lodges use CIP grants to rally their communities around service—find out how!
As you prepare to fill your plate with golden turkey, ruby cranberry sauce, and scrumptious stuffing, check out some of the Thanksgiving-themed projects hosted by Lodges across the country.
Since 2014, Telluride, Colo., Lodge No. 692 has used a Beacon Grant to partner with a local mentoring program to provide a day of fresh air fun for local children.
In the first installment of her blog series, 2016 CIP Volunteer of the Year Susan Good gives some great tips for Lodges looking to capitalize on grant opportunities.
2017 Freedom Grant applications close July 31. Take a look at how Tampa, Fla., Lodge No. 708 creates a community of support for formally homeless veterans.
2017 Promise Grants are available now to the first 500 Lodges that apply with a qualifying youth project! Take a look at how Winter Haven, Fla., Lodge No. 1672 is going back to the basics to support youth in its community.
With the Beacon Grant deadline right around the corner it may feel impossible to come up with a great project to apply for, but, that's far from the truth. Each week, we'll highlight a CIPsational project that a fellow Lodge has executed and that you can easily copy or modify to fit your community's needs.
New Year, new grants! The grant year is in full swing but with the calendar year just beginning it’s the perfect time to take a look at what Lodges across the country have planned for the coming year.
You've likely heard of Rudolph and his shiny nose lighting the way to deliver Christmas cheer at this time of year but have you heard of a less mythological way your Lodge can do the same? It's called a Beacon Grant! Check out this holiday themed presentation on Lodges who are already acting as Beacons of Hope in their communities!
During the holiday, Elks across the country continue to spread holiday cheer by volunteering in their community. Let’s take a look at 11 Lodges that used Gratitude Grants this season.
Hundreds of Lodges used the Promise Grant to run Christmas programs for youth in need last year. Let the Boss help you get in the Christmas spirit and check out some highlights!
Noticing an increase in homeless veterans in the community, Loveland, Co., Lodge No. 1051 partnered with community organizations to host its first annual Stand Down. Read on to find out how the Lodge used its Beacon Grant to push for greater awareness and care for homeless and at-risk veterans in the community.
Oak Ridge, Tenn., Lodge No. 1684 mixes Halloween fun with drug awareness. Read on to find out how the Lodge used its Promise Grant to reach over 600 children in the community.
It’s that time of year again already! Across the country, students are getting ready for a new school year, and Elks are at the ready to help using CIP grants.
Make a wish and blow out those birthday candles! The CIP turns ten years old this year, and we threw one excellent birthday party in Indianapolis to celebrate! Read on for a recap of the party and check out photos and videos from the once in a decade event.
Introducing the 2014-15 Community Investments Program Volunteer of the Year: Jeff Mitchell of Bradenton, Fla., Lodge No. 1511! Thanks to Jeff's hard work as Project Manager for his Lodge's Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies Project, hundreds of homeless children no longer have to worry about going hungry over the weekend.
Read more about how Jeff and Elks volunteers support these students in need each week!
All Lodges that meet the per-capita giving goal are eligible to apply for a Gratitude Grant. Gratitude Grants are a great introduction to the Community Investments Program. Take a look at some of the great examples of these grants below!
Every Lodge is eligible for a $2,000 Beacon Grant. The Beacon Grant is an opportunity for Lodges to start a new, ongoing, Elks-led charitable project. Here are a few of the Best Beacon Grant Examples from the past year.
In 2014, 47 Lodges received Impact Grants to run large-scale service projects in their communities. The results are now in, and they're impressive! Read all about the amazing things the 2014 Impact Grant Lodges accomplished.
Community Investments Program Beacon Grants give Lodges the opportunity to establish reliable projects that serve local needs. Portland-Milwaukie, Ore., Lodge No. 142 is an excellent example of how Lodges can use Beacon Grants to create a positive, ongoing change for local youth.
Staying drug free is the way to be, and the way to fun. Florida elementary school students now have Stuart-Jensen, Fla., Lodge No. 1870 to thank for that valuable lesson. The Lodge used a Promise Grant for a series of Drug Awareness events at local schools.
Americans love to bowl, and the residents of Flat Rock are no exception. Recently, Flat Rock, Mich., Lodge No. 1731 used a Beacon Grant to throw a bowling party so good that party-goers are already planning for next year. Elks partnered with local high school students and a group for people with disabilities to hold the Ten Pin Takedown.
Though Christmas has passed, the Elks’ spirit of charity is not seasonal. With four different Community Investments Program grants available to Lodges, your Lodge has an opportunity to serve all year round. Read on for ideas on how to turn your Lodge's Christmas project into a year-round affair.
Pulaski, Tenn., Lodge No. 1827 does more than spread holiday cheer during December. In partnership with local dentists, the Pulaski Lodge uses a Beacon Grant to provide Free Dental Day for community members in need.
Westbrook, Conn., Lodge No. 1784 knows how to take a history lesson and turn it into a reason to celebrate. Elks used an Impact Grant to partner with teachers to organize the Sharing Our Stories project, which matched 5th grade students with local veterans.
Learn more about the project, and read some of the stories written by the students their veteran mentors!
Venice Nokomis, Fla., Lodge No. 1845 used its Gratitude Grant to partner with the All Faiths Food Bank on the Mobile Cupboard project. Read more about how this Lodge got involved, and gained members because of it!
Thanks to the help of a Promise Grant and Petaluma, Calif., Lodge No. 901, the gardening program at Cypress School is really growing. Read more about the Elks' green thumbs and big hearts here.
With the help of the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, Bennington, Vermont, Lodge No. 567 reached out to veterans in need, and taught youth the importance of serving veterans.
In just his second year as Grants Coordinator for Hillsboro, Ore., Lodge No. 1862, Richard Shipley batted 1000. With a talented team of players alongside him, Rick helped his Lodge apply for and receive every ENF-funded grant possible! “I’m 9 for 9 when it comes to grants in the last few years, Shipley says. “But it really is a team effort—everyone at the Lodge pitches in.” This dedication and team spirit are just a few of the reasons Richard Shipley is the 2013-14 Community Investments Program Volunteer of the Year! Read more about his and the Lodge's accomplishments here.
The start of the 2014-15 year is the perfect time to look back on some of the great things Lodges accomplished last year. In 2013-14, 43 Lodges received Impact Grants to run active and meaningful projects in their communities. Elks from these Lodges worked hard all year long to make a difference, and we're proud to show off their collective accomplishments! Read about the results of their efforts here.
A few years ago, Rockingham County in North Carolina began a local Stand Down for veterans event, to reach out to homeless veterans and other veterans in need. Thanks to the ENF Beacon Grant, the Elks at Reidsville Lodge No. 1723 are a strong part of that tradition.
Spring has sprung, and thanks to Skowhegan-Madison, Maine, Lodge No. 2531, this year it will bring fresh produce to low-income families, seniors and students in need.
Summer may still be a few months away, but some veterans in Massachusetts are already dreaming of a warm and inviting fishing trip with friends. They can count on the Elks to get them out on the water, year after year.
For children and adults with disabilities in Mississippi, they have Hattiesburg, Miss., Lodge No. 599 to thank for their yearly tradition of a week at camp. Read more about the week of fun!
Watch out Stephen King. The state of Maine may soon have some new famous writers, thanks to Rockland, Maine, Lodge No. 1008. Elks partnered with local teachers and writers to hold a three-day creative writing camp for students in 4th through 6th grade.
This winter, Marshall County, Ky., Lodge 2707 gave women and children a safe place to have fun. The Lodge used a Community Investments Program Gratitude Grant to update the playground of The Merryman House, a domestic violence shelter.
Veterans returning home can have a tough time transitioning back into everyday life. Thanks to the Elks from Helena, Mont., Lodge No. 193, life for local veterans in need just got a little easier. Read how.
When several Elks from the Green Bay, Wisc., Lodge No. 259, who coach for the Southwest Area Girls Softball League, noticed that some girls were registering without proper equipment or funds to participate, they stepped up to the plate. Red more about how Green Bay Lodge helps youth in need.
Elks from Garland, Texas, Lodge No. 1984 do more than deck the halls at Christmas— they bring joy to the world. With the help of an ENF Promise Grant, the Lodge teams up with a local homeless children’s ministry to host a Christmas party for homeless and underprivileged children. Read more about how Garland spreads Christmas cheer.
Thanks to Community Investments Program grants, Elks give the gift of support to community members in need throughout the year. Watch the slideshow to see how Elks use CIP grants to build stronger communities during the Christmas season.
Elks across the country show their Christmas spirit by using Elks National Foundation Community Investments Program grants to brighten the holidays for those in need. Read how three Lodges used ENF grants to build stronger communities this past Christmas.
Some Christmas wishes are more difficult than others. For teens living at the Marland Children’s Home, a day out on the town, and a visit to the Oklahoma aquarium, was an appreciated gift from the Elks. Read more about how Ponca City, Okla., Lodge No. 2002 reaches out to these youth in need using their CIP Grants.
Using a Beacon Grant, Cahaba Valley, Ala., Lodge No. 1738 show patriotism, birthday cheer and good sportsmanship as they provide social activities for local veterans in need.
Elks are committed to serving veterans in need. Read how Crestwood, Mo., Lodge No. 2503 used a Gratitude Grant to provide meals and quality time for veterans and military families.
Freemont, Ohio Lodge No. 169 used a Promise Grant to run a two day baseball camp for local boys and girls ages 8 to 10. Thanks to the Elks, these youth can't wait for next season to show off their skills!
It’s back-to-school time again and Elks at Pensacola Beach, Fla., Lodge No. 497 are ready. The Lodge used a Promise Grant to run an educational seminar for local high school students in need. Click the link to read more about this strong project that provided much more than school supplies to teens in need!
Elks at Macomb, Ill., Lodge No. 1009 used a Beacon Grant to reach college veterans at nearby Western Illinois University. Click the link to read more about this project that engaged the entire Lodge and community of college students!
Congratulations to Teri Lynn Linardich, our August CIP Superstar! A CIP Volunteer since 2008, Teri helped her Lodge receive $5,000 in CIP Grants in 2012-13. One part of Teri's success is strong Elks involvement in all her Lodge's grant projects. "Sometimes people just need to be asked, or told, to help out," says Linardich.
Nominated for our the 2013 CIP Volunteer of the Year award, Linardich shares some more of her expert Project Manager advice in her interview. Read more!
Even book clubs are bigger in Texas, and the Elks at Irving, Texas, Lodge No. 2334 keep their book club numbers up by starting their recruitment early. The Lodge used an ENF Impact Grant to start a StoryTime Program at a local youth center, and spread their love of reading.
At Valor House, a veterans’ transitional center, growing and building a new life is the name of the game, in more ways than one. As these veterans work to move forward in life, they also work to bring new life into the garden. Elks at Missoula ‘Hell Gate’, Mont., Lodge No. 383 used a Gratitude Grant to help the cause.
For many high school students, it can be difficult to fit in. For high school students in San Diego who are also refugees, there are even more challenges. That’s where the Elks step in. Using an ENF Impact Grant, Elks partner with the International Rescue Committee to help low-income students with a refugee backgrounds adapt and succeed. Read more about how San Diego, Calif., Lodge No. 168 is helping to prepare these future citizens for success.
Elks at New Albany, Ind., Lodge No. 270 used a Beacon Grant to inspire youth to read. Once a week, Elks and local fourth graders met up in the library for lunch and a book discussion. Click the link to read more about this fun reading project!
The ENF is proud to announce the recipient of the 2013 Community Investments Program Volunteer of the Year Award—Carolyn Shupe of Santa Barbara, Calif., Lodge No. 613.
“Helping people has always been my passion, and it is so gratifying to see positive results,” Shupe says. “It is definitely a feel good way of life.” Read more about her dedication to service and how she uses CIP grants to serve her community.
Life just got a little brighter for children staying at Gracemoor, a domestic violence shelter in Tennessee. Elks at Cookeville-Sparta, Tenn., Lodge No. 2863 used a Gratitude Grant to help renovate the shelter, focusing their efforts on creating a colorful and fun place for the children to play.
In recognition of the many dedicated Elk volunteers using CIP grants to better their communities, we'll now feature one volunteer each month whose project epitomizes effective grant use. April's featured volunteer is Pedro Rosa of Rotterdam, N.Y., Lodge No. 2157. Read more about Pedro and his Lodge's projects!
This year's CIP Photo Contest brought in a record 75 submissions. Though only four Lodges won the grand prize, every photo we received tells a story of a Lodge using a CIP grant to serve the community. Read about some of these successes here.
Then, think about how CIP grants can meet needs in your community. Remember, 2012-13 Gratitude Grant applications are due May 31. Apply soon!
Anyone who has treasured an old family photo, or has viewed the iconic photo of soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima knows the potential of a photographer in the right place at the right time.
For the second annual CIP Photo Contest, we received entries from many of those photographers, capturing shots of Elks serving their communities. ENF staff voted and the results are in. Read more to see who took home the prizes!
In recognition of the many dedicated Elk volunteers using CIP grants to better their communities, we'll now feature one volunteer each month whose project epitomizes effective grant use. February's featured volunteer is Ron Sharrah of Sweet Home, Ore., Lodge No. 1792. Read more about Ron and his Lodge's projects!
As Impact Grant Final Reports, receipts, photos and more rolled in, we came to see all the great things Impact Grant Lodges accomplished in 2012. From planting gardens to help feed the hungry, to mentoring juvenile offenders to delivering meals and support to homeless veterans, Elks are there for those in need. And people are learning that they can depend on the Elks to offer a hand up. Read more about what the 2012 Impact Grant Lodges accomplished. It’ll have you even more excited about the possibilities that next year brings to build stronger communities.
For veterans staying at the Alston Wilkes Society Veterans Home, the road to recovery just got a little easier. Elks at Camden-Lugoff, S.C., Lodge No. 2603 used a Beacon Grant to start a mentoring program for formerly homeless veterans working their way through the Home's rehabilitation program. Read more about this program, and the Lodge's enthusiastic response.
In recognition of the many dedicated Elk volunteers using CIP grants to better their communities, we'll now feature one volunteer each month whose project epitomizes effective grant use. February's featured volunteer is Mike Mongeluzzo of Ocala, Fla., Lodge No. 286. Read more about Mike and his Lodge's projects!
Elks at Watertown, N.Y., Lodge No. 496 help provide a slice of home for weary soliders. Read more about how this Lodge is partnering with the USO to offer comforts to soldiers at a local base.
Elks at Eugene, Ore., Lodge No. 357, used a Gratitude Grant to help with a local Stand Down for Veterans. Read more about how this Lodge served more than 500 veterans in need.
Elks love serving their communities! Using Elks National Foundation Community Investments Program grants, Lodges build stronger communities by sharing the Valentine’s Day spirit of love. Read about two Lodges’ big-hearted projects.
There’ll be fewer lonely hearts in Texas this Valentine’s Day, thanks to the Elks at Cleburne Lodge No. 811. Read about how this Lodged reaches to veterans each February 14.
In recognition of the many dedicated Elk volunteers using CIP grants to better their communities, we'll now feature one volunteer each month whose project epitomizes effective grant use. January's featured volunteer is Tammy Sturgill of Livermore-Pleasanton, Calif., Lodge No. 2117. Click to read more.
Elks at Bullhead City, Ariz., Lodge No. 2408 used a Beacon Grant to take veterans from a local VA hospital on a quick vacation. Read more about their trip!
In recognition of the many dedicated Elk volunteers using CIP grants to better their communities, we'll now feature one volunteer each month whose project epitomizes effective grant use. December's featured volunteer is Connie Scott of Clark Fork Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757. Click to read more.
As the newest addition to the CIP grant family, the Beacon Grant has helped Lodges successfully create new, ongoing charitable activities. Learn about some of these great projects here!
In recognition of the many dedicated Elk volunteers using CIP grants to better their communities, we'll now feature one volunteer each month whose project epitomizes effective grant use. November's featured volunteer is Bob Sollazzo of Mid-Westchester, N.Y., Lodge No. 535. Click to read more.
Throughout Veterans Remembrance Month, the ENF is featuring our Hand Up series. Each Friday, we will post an article focusing on the issues facing today's returning servicemen and women, as well as examples and resources for Lodges looking to do more to serve them.
Here is this week's installment, titled "Together."
Throughout Veterans Remembrance Month, the ENF is featuring our Hand Up series. Each Friday, we will post an article focusing on the issues facing today's returning servicemen and women, as well as examples and resources for Lodges looking to do more to serve them.
Here is this week's installment, titled "Continued Service."
Throughout Veterans Remembrance Month, the ENF is featuring our Hand Up series. Each Friday, we will post an article focusing on the issues facing today's returning service men and women, as well as examples and resources for Lodges looking to do more to serve them.
This week's installment is the third in the series, titled: A Return to Stability.
Throughout Veterans Remembrance Month, the ENF is featuring our Hand Up series. Each Friday, we will post an article focusing on the issues facing today's returning service men and women, as well as examples and resources for Lodges looking to do more to serve them.
This week's installment is the second in the series, titled: A Personal Touch.
As residents in New York and New Jersey recover from Hurricane Sandy, they're finding out that even in times of crisis, the Elks are there for the community.
Read about some of the Lodges helping with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
Throughout Veterans Remembrance Month, the ENF is featuring our Hand Up series. Each Friday, we will post an article focusing on the issues facing today's returning service men and women, as well as examples and resources for Lodges looking to do more to serve them.
This week's installment, the first in the series, is titled: A Better Homecoming.
The ENF is proud to announce the inaugural recipient of the CIP Volunteer of the Year Award—Betty Archambault, member of St. George ‘Dixie,’ Utah, Lodge No. 1743. Read on for her accomplishments.
Last summer, the ENF announced a partnership with the USO in support of the Joining Forces Initiative. Oregon City, Ore., Lodge No. 1189 was paying attention. Read about how the Lodge used its ENF grant to help veterans.
Four years ago, we awarded our first Impact Grants to an inaugural class of 25 Lodges. Over the next three years, nine of those Lodges continued to reapply and receive renewal grants. Here’s a look at our first class of Impact Grant graduates and their amazing accomplishments.
These nine Lodges blazed a trail for the rest, spurred the growth of the Community Investments Program, and inspired us all. We salute them!