Overview
Promise Grants are $2,500 grants available to the first 300 Lodges that apply for an eligible charitable youth activity. Lodges do not need to meet the GER's per-member-giving goal to apply.
Promise Grants offer Lodges a chance to host an event that builds the character and competence of local youth.
Five Promises to Youth
When planning your Lodge's Promise Grant, please keep in mind the five promises the grant was founded on.
- Providing youth with safe places
- Promoting healthy living
- Offering support from caring adults
- Emphasizing the importance of education
- Encouraging community service
- Active:
- Lodges must be actively involved in the planning and execution of the project.
- All funds must be used in direct support of the project and cannot be solely a donation of funds or supplies.
- Meaningful Interaction:
- Projects should give youth and Elks a chance to come together.
- Target Youth in Need:
- Focus on a specific population of youth in need, such as:
- children of active duty military
- children in foster care
- children with disabilities
- youth involved in the juvenile justice system or have an incarcerated parent
- children in programs that cater to low-income families such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Head Start, Big Brothers Big Sisters and many more
Basic CIP Grant Guidelines
Click here for a succinct, printable version of our general CIP grant guidelines.
Charitable:CIP Grants should always be used for charitable purposes. Keep the following six broad categories (defined as charitable by the IRS) in mind when planning a grant project; relieve the poor, distressed or underprivileged; advance education or science, but not through scholarships; lessen the burdens of government; lessen neighborhood tensions; eliminate prejudice and discrimination; combat juvenile delinquency.
Restrictions: CIP Grant guidelines state that Lodges may not use grants to support State Major Projects, national Elks programs, fund scholarships, Hoop Shoot/Soccer Shoot events, youth awards nights, poster and/or essay contests, appreciations dinners, fundraisers or general community events. Grants may not be used for Lodge maintenance and/or repairs, or to only benefit Lodge members and their families. Grant funds must serve a population in need, and cannot be donations of funds or supplies to individuals.
Applying
2020-21 Dates: Due to the rapidly accelerating COVID-19 pandemic, applications for 2020-21 Promise Grants will likely open August 1, 2020. (Subject to change.) Applications must be submitted before the project takes place. Applications close after 300 have been awarded, or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first. Funds must be spent by March 31, 2021.
How to apply: The Lodge Secretary or ENF Grants Coordinator is able to complete and submit the online application.
Process: Upon approval of a Lodge's online application, the ENF will mail an approval letter and a grant check to the Lodge mailing address. A Lodge can use its Promise Grant in conjunction with a Beacon, and/or a Gratitude Grant.
Final Reporting: Final Reports are now online. After the grant has been used, complete the Final Report and upload all grant-related receipts and photos. Final Reports will be due 30 days after the anticipated grant completion date provided by your Lodge. The Lodge will be locked out of applying for grants 60 days from that date until the report is submitted.
Questions? Email LodgeGrants@elks.org or call 773/755-4730.
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