Serve Your Community.
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Elroy roots for the home team at a Red Ribbon Week event held by Cass County, Mo., Lodge No. 2791, thanks to an ENF Community Investments Program grant.
Apply for a Beacon GrantLodge Secretaries or Grant Coordinators:
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Every Lodge is eligible to apply for a Beacon Grant—don’t miss out on this opportunity! Join in, and help your Lodge become a beacon of hope to the community.
2013-14 Beacon Grants are worth $2,000!
"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," says ENF Director Jim O'Kelley.
"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."
With Beacon Grants, we're looking for five main things.
- New: Ideally, Lodges will use their Beacon Grant for the same successful, ongoing project each year. So, if your Lodge received a 2012-13 Beacon Grant, it should use a 2013-14 grant to expand the project. If your Lodge did not receive a 2012-13 Beacon Grant, it must use the Beacon Grant to start a new charitable project.
- Ongoing: Something the Lodge is committed to—for example, monthly dinners at a soup kitchen, or an annual Veterans Stand Down activity. Beacon Grants can't be split between two projects.
- Elks-led: Elks must be involved, and the project should be something identifiable as an Elks project.
- Charitable: Grants must be focused on helping those in need, and addressing local issues. The project cannot benefit only the Lodge or Lodge members.
- An Activity: Beacon Grants cannot be used for donations of funds and supplies. Elks should be actively serving the community. If people see Elks doing good things, they'll be inspired to join!
For a one-page printout of the 2012-13 Beacon Grant and its requirements,
click here.
To determine the best way to serve your community, using a Beacon Grant or other CIP grants, visit our Toolkit for Lodges.
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“Thanks to our project, the schools, students, parents and community members view the Lewisburg Elks Lodge as an organization that is active in the community and not just a ‘country club.’” Project Manager Bernice Bracken Lewisburg, W.Va., Lodge No. 1758 |
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“Prior to this project, there was some knowledge of Elkdom in our community. … We were old men who drank, smoked and had secret meetings, not open to the public. Now we are seen in the community as benevolent, caring for children and worthwhile to join.” Project Manager Jeff Mitchell Bradenton, Fla., Lodge No. 1511 |
More about about Beacon Grants
Dates:The 2012-13 Beacon Grant application deadline has passed. Funds must be spent by July 31, 2013. Final Report Forms due August 31, 2013.
2013-14 Beacon Grant Applications are available online July 1, 2013, and due March 31, 2014. Applications must be submitted and approved before the grant is used. Funds must be spent by July 31, 2014. Final Report Forms due August 31, 2014.
How to Apply: After July 1, the Lodge Secretary or ENF Grants Coordinator is able to access, complete and submit the online application.
Updated Guidelines:Grants cannot be used to fund scholarships, Hoop Shoot events, hold youth awards nights, hold poster and/or essay contests, or to have fundraisers.
Process: Upon approval of a Lodge's online application, the ENF will mail an approval letter, a grant check and a Final Report Form to the Lodge address. A Lodge can use its $1,000 Beacon Grant in conjunction with a $2,000 Gratitude Grant and/or a $2,000 Promise Grant, to maximize the ongoing project. Applications must be submitted separately.
Final Report Forms: After the grant has been used, mail in the Final Report Form, along with all grant-related receipts, and photos. Lodges that do not complete this required form will not be eligible for any ENF grants the following year.
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