E L K S N A T I O N A L F O U N D A T I O N
Joy of Giving
The Community Investments Program: Building Stronger Elks Communities
S
INCE ITS DEBUT IN 2005, the Community In- vestments Program has helped lodges make vis- ible and meaningful contributions to their commu- nities through its grant components: Gratitude Grants, which are available to every lodge that meets the GER’s per capita goal and are intended to help lodges with a local charitable cause, and Promise Grants, which are available to help lodges hold a youth event. Initially, both grants were worth $200, but they have each been increased $100 annually up to $500 until 2008. Then, in 2010–2011, they were doubled to $1,000 each. In 2007, Impact Grants of up to $10,000 were added to the Community Investments Program. Now, the Community Investments Program is poised to grow even more as the ENF trustees have decided to double the funding for the program again, from $2.3 million to $4.6 million.
Starting in 2011–2012, both Gratitude Grants and Prom- ise Grants will be worth $2,000 each. Impact Grants will continue to range up to $10,000, giving lodges the means to
In 2011–2012, the Elks National Foundation will distribute a record $21.7 million. For the complete list of grants and appropriations, visit
www.elks.org/enf/appropriations.cfm.
strengthen their communities in even more significant ways. The ENF trustees have also increased the number of Prom- ise Grants available from three hundred to five hundred, a move that will help more lodges host events designed to build character and competence in local youth. All across the country, lodges are excited about this new development. “This increase in funding is wonderful news,”
says Bill George, ENF Committee chair- man for the Fairfield, Connecticut, Lodge. “It will give us the opportunity to expand our lodge’s charitable and youth programs, making them so much more meaningful to our community.” “The ENF trustees want every lodge to be a pillar of its community,” says Jim O’Kelley, the director of the Elks National Foundation. “This program gives lodges the resources to identify and meet needs. Doubling the funding for the Community Investments Pro-
T H E E L K S M A G A Z I N E
Pictured holding a fistful of beans is one of the local children taught to garden as part of the West Palm Beach, Florida, Lodge’s Promise Grant– sponsored vegetable garden.
gram will allow lodges to do much more to support their communities.”
Community Investments Program grants allow lodges to support charitable causes that are important to their com- munities, so make it your lodge’s new fiscal year resolution to take advantage of these grants in 2011–2012 and start building a stronger community today. ■
What’s Happening at the Elks National Foundation
• The 2011 Hoop Shoot results are online at
www.elks.org/hoopshoot. Congratulations to all finalists!
• Most Valuable Student scholarship and Legacy Award winners have been announced! Go to
www.elks.org/scholars for a list of the latest members of the Elks family.
• Stay tuned to
www.elks.org/enf for ENF convention news, including seminar and workshop times!
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