At its meeting in San Antonio on February 13, 2013, the ENF Board of Trustees approved appropriations and distributions for the 2013-14 fiscal year totaling a record $26 million, an increase of 10 percent over the previous fiscal year. Click here for a printable fact sheet.
- Community Investments Program
Appropriated $8.5 million for the Community Investments Program to invest directly in Lodge communities. This includes the doubling of Beacon Grants to $2,000 each. These grants are available to every Lodge for an ongoing, Elks-driven community project. Community Investments Program projects have a significant and lasting impact on areas where Elks live and work.
- State Grants
Granted $8 million to the state Elks associations through State Charities Grants, Special Project Grants and Bonus Grants. These grants help fund each state's major charitable projects, which include aid for people with disabilities, cancer research, children's hospitals, youth camps and providing safe havens for abused families. In addition, portions of these grants will help fund state Drug Awareness, Hoop Shoot, Veterans Service and scholarship programs, as well as other projects that best extend a state's philanthropic outreach.
- Most Valuable Student Scholarship Competition
The ENF has increased funding for the Most Valuable Student scholarship program for the first time in six years. In 2013-14, the ENF designated $2.44 million for 500 four-year scholarships for the 2014-15 through 2017-18 academic years. The contest will now feature 20 top awards—10 for males, 10 for females—of at least $20,000.
The 20 top finalists will participate in a Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000.
- ENF Legacy Awards
Designated $1 million to fund up to 250 four-year, $4,000 scholarships for the children and grandchildren of Elks who have been members in good standing for at least two years.
- Emergency Educational Fund Grants
Reserved $300,000 for one-year educational grants to the children of deceased or totally disabled Elks, who wish to obtain or further their college education.
- Elks Drug Awareness Program
Appropriated $682,200 to completely fund the Elks Drug Awareness Program, which promotes constructive and cooperative solutions to youth substance abuse through education.
- Elks National
Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program
Granted $692,750 to fund the Elks' national free throw program, guiding youth to compete, connect and succeed, and encouraging participants to lead healthy and active lives.
- Elks National Veterans Service Commission
Granted $1.144 million to fund the Order's Veterans Service Program, which provides aid and comfort for America's veterans.
- Elks Veterans Memorial Maintenance
Granted $653,380 to maintain the Elks Veterans Memorial in Chicago.
- Reserved $115,000 for miscellaneous grants, including the Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship.
- Fundamental Expenditures
Appropriated $1.95 million to help fund the day-to-day operations of the Foundation's Chicago office. Our fundamental expenses are far below the Better Business Bureau's standard for charities of 35 percent of total spending.
- Programs Management
Appropriated $537,210 to administer the Foundation's program and evaluation efforts.
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