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Elks National Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$48.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
10%

Elks National Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $48.2 million (2025-26 fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $605.6 million endowment
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $30,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (2-4 months typical)
  • Application Method: Rolling and fixed deadlines depending on program

Contact Details

Website: https://www.elks.org/enf/

Email:

Phone:

  • Scholarships: 773-755-4732
  • Lodge grants: 773-755-4730

Address: Elks National Headquarters, Elks Veterans Memorial, Chicago, IL

Overview

The Elks National Foundation (ENF) was established in 1928 when National President John F. Malley envisioned a plan to "unite the forces of the Order into a mighty army for the service of mankind." With an initial $100,000 grant, the foundation has grown to manage a $605.6 million endowment and distribute $48.2 million annually. The foundation has received more than $243.3 million in contributions and bequests since inception and currently has more than 100,000 active donors.

The ENF's mission is to help Elks build stronger communities by investing in communities where Elks live and work. The foundation helps youth develop lifelong skills, sends students to college, meets the needs of today's veterans, supports the charitable work of state Elks associations, and funds projects that improve quality of life in local Elks communities. The foundation received a Four-Star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong financial health and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship - $3 million program budget

  • 502 four-year scholarships of at least $4,000 annually
  • 20 top awards of $30,000 over four years ($7,500/year)
  • 480 awards of $4,000 over four years ($1,000/year)
  • Open to all U.S. high school seniors; Elks membership not required
  • Application deadline: November 12 annually
  • Applications open: August 1

Legacy Awards - $1.6 million program budget

  • 350 four-year scholarships of $4,000 each ($1,000/year)
  • For children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elks members only
  • Application deadline: February 2 annually

Emergency Educational Grants (EEG) - $130,000 program budget

  • One-year educational grants up to $4,000
  • For children of deceased or totally disabled Elks members

Gunther and Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship

  • Ten awards of $20,000 each annually
  • For Elks scholars attending medical school

Beacon Grants - Available to all Lodges

  • $4,000 grants for ongoing, Elks-led charitable activities
  • Can be merged with Spotlight Grant for total of $6,000
  • Applications open: April 1 annually
  • Rolling basis; available to every Lodge

Impact Grants - $500,000 program budget

  • Competitive grants up to $10,000
  • For significant community projects with measurable impact
  • Intent submissions: April 1 - August 15
  • Full applications (by invitation): September 1 - November 1
  • 56 Lodges funded in 2025 (50 renewals, 6 new projects)

Gratitude Grants - $3,000 to $5,000

  • For Lodges that meet National President's per-member-giving goal
  • Recognition of fundraising efforts
  • Applications open: April 1 annually

Spotlight Grants

  • Available to all Lodges
  • Can be merged with Beacon Grants

Freedom Grants

  • Limited availability for veteran-focused projects
  • Must serve veterans in need, not general operations

State Charities Grants - $11.5 million total

  • State Charities Grants, Special Project Grants, and Bonus Grants
  • Distributed to state Elks associations

Veterans Service Program - $6.4 million

  • Provides aid and comfort for veterans in need

Priority Areas

  • Youth Development: Programs that help youth develop lifelong skills and leadership abilities
  • Education: Scholarships for undergraduate study at accredited U.S. institutions
  • Veterans Support: Projects serving veterans in need with meaningful impact
  • Community Service: Elks-led charitable activities that improve quality of life
  • At-Risk Populations: Projects addressing specific community needs with volunteer involvement

What They Don't Fund

General Exclusions:

  • State Major Projects or national Elks programs
  • Scholarships (except through designated ENF scholarship programs)
  • Hoop Shoot/Soccer Shoot events, youth awards nights
  • Poster and essay contests
  • Appreciation dinners or fundraisers
  • General community events
  • Lodge maintenance and repairs
  • Benefits only for Lodge members and their families
  • Donations of funds or supplies to individuals
  • Dictionary projects (insufficient Elk involvement)
  • Study abroad programs not billed through accredited U.S. institutions
  • Graduate or vocational programs
  • Loan programs

Specific Program Exclusions:

  • Land or building purchases
  • Lodge building improvements, repairs, renovations, or expansions
  • Donations to other organizations (must be specific project-based)
  • Salaries or personnel costs for other organizations
  • Establishing or increasing foundations, trusts, or interest-bearing accounts
  • One-time large equipment or vehicle purchases
  • Small contributions to large capital campaigns
  • Memorial projects (for Freedom Grants)
  • General operations donations to veteran organizations like VFW or American Legion
  • Veterans appreciation dinners open to all veterans

Governance and Leadership

The Elks National Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven trustees, all of whom are past national presidents of the Order. Each trustee serves a seven-year term, ensuring continuity and deep institutional knowledge.

Board Chair: Past Grand Exalted Ruler (PGER) - trustees rotate leadership positions

Notable Board Members:

  • PGER John Amen (member of Denver, Colo., Lodge No. 17) - also serves as Chair for the Elks National Veterans Service Commission

Executive Leadership:

  • Director: Jim O'Kelley - oversees day-to-day administration of the ENF

The foundation is located at the Elks national headquarters in the Elks Veterans Memorial in Chicago.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Student Scholarships:

Applications are submitted through online portals on the Elks National Foundation website (www.elks.org/scholars):

  1. Most Valuable Student Scholarship:

    • Register for an account at the official website
    • Complete online application between August 1 and November 12 (11:59pm PST)
    • Applications advance through local, district, and state levels to reach national competition
    • Quarter Finalists (notified late December) must upload transcripts in January
    • Semi-Finalists must submit updated information, FAFSA Submission Summary, additional essay, and teacher evaluation

  2. Legacy Awards:

For Lodge Community Grants:

Lodge Secretary or ENF Grants Coordinator accesses, completes, and submits applications through the CIP Grants Dashboard:

  1. Beacon, Gratitude, and Spotlight Grants: Applications open April 1 annually, rolling basis

  2. Impact Grants:

    • Submit Impact Intent (brief project overview): April 1 - August 15
    • Selected Lodges invited to submit full application: September 1 - November 1

Contact for assistance: LodgeGrants@elks.org or 773-755-4730

Decision Timeline

Most Valuable Student Scholarship:

  • Applications due: November 12
  • Lodge selection notifications: Late December
  • District selection to Quarter Finalist notifications: Mid-January
  • Final awards announced: Spring

Legacy Awards:

  • Applications due: February 2
  • Notifications: Spring

Community Grants:

  • Beacon/Gratitude/Spotlight: Evaluated on rolling basis after April 1
  • Impact Grants: Decisions announced after November application deadline; funding begins following fiscal year

Typical decision timeframes range from 2-4 months depending on the program and application volume.

Success Rates

Most Valuable Student Scholarship:

  • Approximately 500 scholarships awarded annually
  • Thousands of applicants compete nationally
  • Described as "quite competitive" with relatively low acceptance rate
  • Exact acceptance percentage not publicly disclosed
  • Male and female students compete separately, which may improve individual odds

Impact Grants:

  • Highly competitive with limited funding
  • 56 Lodges funded in 2025 from larger applicant pool
  • Selection based on understanding of community problem, unique solution, and volunteer capacity

Reapplication Policy

Scholarships: Unsuccessful MVS applicants may reapply in subsequent years while still eligible (high school senior status). No waiting period restriction.

Community Grants: Lodges may reapply for grants annually. Impact Grants can be renewed if project continues to meet criteria.

Application Success Factors

For Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Evaluation Criteria (as stated by ENF):

  1. Scholarship/Academics: Beyond high GPA, committees look for rigorous course load and academic opportunities outside the classroom like internships or job shadowing related to academic interests

  2. Leadership: Demonstrated leadership abilities through activities and roles, not just participation

  3. Financial Need: Plays a significant role; submit FAFSA and all financial information promptly and completely

  4. Community Service: The scholarship is intended to help ENF "build stronger communities," so community involvement is highly valued

Application Tips from ENF:

  • Take advantage of opportunities to demonstrate academic rigor beyond classroom
  • Show meaningful leadership roles, not just membership
  • Complete FAFSA thoroughly and promptly
  • Demonstrate sustained community service commitment
  • Advance through local levels by engaging with local Elks Lodge
  • Applications progress through multiple judging levels, so consistency across all materials is critical

For Community Impact Grants

What ENF Looks For (direct guidance):

"The ENF is looking to award Impact Grants to Lodges who intimately understand a problem in their community, have a unique idea about how to solve it, and who are ready with the volunteer power to get it done."

Key Success Factors:

  • Deep Community Understanding: Demonstrate intimate knowledge of specific local problem
  • Unique Solution: Present innovative approach, not generic response
  • Volunteer Capacity: Show ready volunteer power to execute project
  • Meaningful Impact: Projects must create measurable, significant community change
  • Elks-Led Activities: Active Elks participation required, not just funding donation
  • Serves Population in Need: Must target specific populations, not individuals or general programs

Recent Funded Examples:

  • Projects supporting at-risk youth
  • Veteran-focused initiatives with direct service delivery
  • Community programs addressing specific local needs with measurable outcomes

Common Rejection Reasons:

  • Insufficient Elks volunteer involvement (e.g., dictionary projects, team sponsorships)
  • Projects benefiting only Lodge members/families
  • Donations without meaningful engagement
  • Lack of clear measurable impact
  • Generic community events without targeted beneficiary population

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Elks Lodge Connection Essential: While MVS scholarships are open to all U.S. high school seniors, community grants are exclusively for Elks Lodges, not external organizations
  • Financial Need Matters for Scholarships: FAFSA completion and demonstrated financial need are critical components of MVS selection process
  • Multi-Level Competition: MVS applications progress through local, district, and state levels before reaching national competition; early advancement signals strong candidacy
  • Volunteer Involvement Required: Community grants must demonstrate active Elks participation, not passive funding; pure donations do not qualify
  • Population Focus: Grants serve populations in need, not individuals or established programs; must show community impact
  • Rolling vs. Fixed Deadlines: Beacon/Gratitude/Spotlight grants operate on rolling basis from April 1; Impact Grants and scholarships have fixed deadlines requiring advance planning
  • Strong Financial Stewardship: With a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and $605.6 million endowment, ENF demonstrates excellent financial management and long-term sustainability

References

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