Here are some resources that will help your Lodge navigate CIP grants.
Final Reporting. Find information on how to complete Final Reports.
CIP Participation Report. The CIP Participation Report shows the status of each Lodge's grants.
General CIP Guidelines. A succinct, printable version of CIP guidelines.
CIP Grant History. Review grant applications and Final Reports from Lodges around the country.
CIP Central. Read the latest news from the CIP!
Gratitude Grant Bonus Tracker. See how close your Lodge is to receiving the bonuses!
Opening annually on April 1, Gratitude Grants are the ENF's way of saying thank you to every Lodge that meets the National President's per-member-giving goal for giving to the ENF. NEW THIS YEAR: Gratitude Grants range from $3,000 to $5,000, increased from a base grant of $2,000 in FY25.
Eligibility. If the Lodge meets the 2024-25 goal of $5.00 by March 31, the Lodge is able to apply for a 2025-26 Gratitude Grant on April 1. Check the Lodge's current per-member giving here.
Use the Bonuses. Lodges can receive up to four $500 bonuses dependent on achievements from the prior fiscal year: the Membership Support bonus, the Fidelity Club bonus, the Chair Challenge bonus, and the new Fundraising Increase bonus. Click here for information on bonus eligibility. Check your Lodge's progress toward receiving the bonuses here.
Haste Makes Waste. Gratitude Grants are available April 1, but the four bonuses are not official until the end of April. If an application is started before the bonuses have been finalized, the Lodge will lose access to the additional funds. If you think your Lodge will be eligible for a bonus, wait to apply! View the donation processing timeline here.
Get More, Do More. Gratitude Grants can be used to supersize the Beacon or Spotlight Grant to increase the project’s budget. To supersize, click the box in the Budget section of the Beacon or Spotlight Grant application.
Wait to Donate. Though donations do qualify, we highly encourage your Lodge to consider using the Gratitude Grant in an active way. Scroll down for project inspiration!
Struggling to figure out what to do? We've made it easy. Consider adapting one of these highly successful Lodge grant projects for your community.
Every Lodge that met the GER's per-member-giving goal in the prior fiscal year is eligible for a $3,000 grant. However, Lodges can receive up to four $500 bonuses dependent on achievements from the prior fiscal year. Check your Lodge's progress toward receiving the bonuses here.
Fundraising Increase Bonus: Lodges that increase their giving by 10 percent over the previous year will receive a $500 bonus. Visit the Current Year and Prior Year Fundraising Comparison Report to track progress.
Membership Support Bonus: Lodges in which more than 15 percent of members donated at least $10 to the ENF in the prior fiscal year will be eligible for a $500 bonus. Track your Lodge’s membership support through the ENF Membership Support Report.
Fidelity Club Bonus: Lodges in which 10 percent of the prior year’s donors were members of the Fidelity Club, the ENF’s sustaining giving program, will receive a $500 bonus. Check out the Fidelity Club Goal Progress Report to track progress toward the goal and the Fidelity Club honor roll to see who is a member of the club.
Chair Challenge Bonus: This opportunity specifically recognizes Lodges that have strong, broad-based fundraising programs. Lodges that attain a score of 550 points or higher in the prior fiscal year's Chair Challenge will be eligible for a $500 bonus. Visit the Chair Challenge Guidelines to learn more and to check your Lodge's current score.
Donate to the Elks National Foundation: Elks may donate to the Elks National Foundation online here.
Please note: If at the close of the fiscal year on March 31 a Lodge reaches the goals to qualify for one or more of the Gratitude Grant bonuses, the bonus amount may not be reflected when applications open on April 1. If the Lodge anticipates it will qualify for one or more of the Gratitude Grant bonuses, please wait to apply until the prior fiscal year has officially closed, usually by the end of April.
2025-26 Dates: Applications for 2025-26 Gratitude Grants open on April 1 and will close on January 21, 2026. Funds must be spent by March 31, 2026.
How to apply: The Lodge Secretary or ENF Grants Coordinator is able to access, complete and submit the online application through the CIP Grants Dashboard.
Process: Upon approval of a Lodge's online application, the ENF will mail an approval letter and a grant check to the Lodge address. If your Lodge is new to the Order or has recently merged, please click here for more information.
Final Reporting: After the grant has been used, complete the Final Report and upload all grant-related receipts and photos. For complete Final Report details, click here.
Questions? Email LodgeGrants@elks.org or call 773/755-4730.
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