The Elks of Seguin, TX, Lodge used their Gratitude Grant to hold a Drug Awareness Bike Rodeo. ER Gaynell Boswell is shown awarding new bikes to the winners.
The Elks National Foundation's Community Investments Program was established in June 2005 to contribute to local community needs through charitable projects initiated by local Elks. The program has three components: Gratitude Grants, Grant Assistance, and Promise Grants (an expansion of the original Drug Awareness Promise Grants).
Gratitude Grants, as their name implies, are used to reward lodges that reach the Grand Exalted Ruler's $4 per-capita goal and to encourage them to get even more involved in their communities. The $200 Gratitude Grant reimbursement can be spent on a local charitable project of a Lodge's choice that will have a positive impact on the community.
Although still relatively new, the Gratitude Grants are off to a great start.
"We wanted to give back to the lodge community in a way that was meaningful but simple," explains Jim O'Kelley, the director of the Elks National Foundation. "The lodges, in general, have to fill out a lot of paperwork and file a lot of reports. We didn't want to add to that burden, so we kept the process simple."
The ENF's national programs - whether involving scholarships, the Hoop Shoot program, drug awareness activities, or veterans services - each have specific objectives for the lodges to accomplish. O'Kelley points out that the activities funded either wholly or in part by Gratitude Grants are chosen by local Lodges that have identified a need and have decided how to address it.
O'Kelley says, "It's been fun to see the creative ideas that they are coming up with for these grants. Every day, it's something new."
Lodges across the country are already using their Gratitude Grants in a variety of ways: to reinvigorate their programs, to offset the costs of ongoing programs, or to start new activities.
For example, the Elks of Cripple Creek, Colo., chose to use their grant to purchase books for the Franklin W. Ferguson Library. The library was renamed in 1974 in memory of long-time supporter and PER Franklin Ferguson. ER Chip Huffman notes, "With this donation to the library, we continue in lodge tradition."
Another Lodge, Junction City, Kansas, helped its community by sponsoring two tables at a Veterans & Military Appreciation dinner in Milford, Kan. The event was held on Veteran's Day by the town's business community, and included dinner and dancing for veterans and those soldiers still on active duty. Special awards were presented to three veterans, who each served in a different war, to recognize their involvement in their community.
Cliffside Park, N.J., Lodge members used their grant to sponsor a youth activity for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. The Battle of the Bands, in which four local bands performed, provided the teenagers with a fun event that was alcohol-free. "These types of activities get kids off the street and into a safe place," says Lodge Secretary Maryann Ferguson. "The money from the Gratitude Grant allowed us to get a DJ, decorations, food and drinks to help make the event a success." The Lodge also provided attendees with drug awareness handouts, crime prevention literature and information about the start of their Antlers program. The Kansas City (Northland), Lodge of Gladstone, Mo., purchased toothbrushes for the Northland Christmas Store. For almost twenty years, Northland has provided food, clothing, gifts, and additional items to needy individuals in the Kansas City- Northland area. It serves an average of 1,500 families per year.
The Elks of Seguin, Tex., used their Gratitude Grant to hold a Bike Rodeo, along with a Health and Drug Awareness Fair for youngsters. The rodeo included a bike course and races for three different age groups. Top prizes included new bikes, helmets and kneepads for the kids. The lodge invited community groups to attend the fair and to help educate children and their parents about the dangers of drug use. Informational brochures and bracelets were given to the participants.
"Our mission is helping Elks build stronger communities, and that's what this program is all about," O'Kelley says. "Year after year, the lodges are so generous in their support of the Foundation. We're extremely grateful for that. What better way to say thank you than by helping them achieve their charitable objectives?"
Sidebar: A Simple Guide to the Gratitude Grants Application Process
The ENF has worked to make the application process for Gratitude Grants "as easy as 1-2-3" for Lodge Secretaries and ENF chairmen to use. To receive a $200 grant, follow these three simple steps:
1) Meet the Grand Exalted Ruler's per-capita goal. When your lodge has reached the per-capita goal, you will be notified of your eligibility.
2) Fill out an application. Eligible lodges can access an application by going to http://elks.org/enf/community/OnlineGGApplication.pdf or by contacting the ENF Programs Department at ENFPrograms@elks.org or 773-755-4954. All 2005-06 applications must be submitted and approved by April 30, 2006.
3) Prepare a final Report. Upon receipt and approval of your lodge's application, you will be sent a Final Report and Expense Form. In order to receive your $200 reimbursement, this form must be completed, signed by the Lodge Secretary and Exalted Ruler, and submitted, along with copies of grant-related receipts, to the ENF by August 30, 2006.