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
8/25/2026 Northglenn, CO Lodge No: 2438
uses its Spotlight Grant to provide Blessing Bags to people experiencing homelessness. Lodge members distribute the bags through a partner organization that serves weekly hot meals to people living on the streets. Each bag contains enough food to help recipients through the following week, along with hygiene products and winter accessories.
8/25/2026 Clear Lake (Kemah), TX Lodge No: 2322
uses its Spotlight Grant to teach children cooking skills in a fun and engaging way. The Lodge works with school counselors to determine which students would benefit the most and then hosts classes at the Lodge. Elks teach the students how to safely handle cooking equipment and a variety of techniques that unlock possibilities from affordable ingredients. Before the children graduate and leave with cooking tools and basic ingredients to work with at home, they participate in a Texas-style chili cookoff.
8/25/2026 Chandler, AZ Lodge No: 2429
uses its Gratitude Grant to support young adults who are aging out of the foster care system. The Lodge provides independence kits that include kitchen essentials, small furniture items and more. The Lodge has formed a strong partnership with Child Crisis Arizona over several years. In its Independent Living Program, participants live on their own for the first time and receive counseling and skills training to reduce the chances of homelessness or incarceration. The Lodge provides kits for all 15 residents andextra supplies for future residents.
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.