Each week, the ENF recognizes CIPerstars who have gone above and beyond in their service to the Elks National Foundation. These CIPerstars are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the ENF and the Elks community.
Senior Programs Associate
Programs Associate
Programs Coordinator
6/10/2025 Kansas City, MO Lodge No: 26
uses its Gratitude Grant for two projects. First, the Lodge provides monthly meals for residents of St. Michael’s Veterans Facility. Lodge members work together to create a menu, shop and prepare the food. Members then deliver and serve the meals to the veterans, enjoying quality time together. The Lodge also supports the Westside Community Action Network Center with food and hygiene products. The center provides support to migrant workers and their families, as well as other residents of the neighborhood. The Lodge has supported the center for the last ten years and plans to continue the partnership well into the future.
6/10/2025 Oconto, WI Lodge No: 887
uses its Beacon Grant for two projects. First, the Lodge provides monthly support to a local food pantry. Making monthly donations ensures that the pantry is always stocked with the supplies that are most needed. The Lodge also supports a shelter for survivors of domestic violence by purchasing supplies, including food, clothing and hygiene items. The Lodge donates the remaining amount to cover expenses such as legal advocacy, relocation services and support groups.
6/10/2025 Blackwell, OK Lodge No: 1347
uses its Spotlight Grant to provide shoes for children enrolled in Head Start. The Lodge discovered through its partnership with a local food bank that many children enrolled in Head Start were unable to afford new shoes. To meet this need, the Lodge works with a local shoe store to provide vouchers to families at Head Start’s back to school event for a free pair of shoes for their child. Lodge members provide transportation to the store for any families that need it.
The Elks National Foundation allocated nearly $16 million this year to fund the Community Investments Program. Lodges meet local needs through grants that offer Elks opportunities to serve their community in ways 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. To learn more about the Community Investments Program, please visit elks.org/CIP. If you would like to speak to someone in the CIP office, we can be reached at 773-755-4730.