The mission of the Elks National Foundation is to build stronger communities by investing in communities where Elks live and work.

Our Impact

Since inception, the ENF has contributed more than $500 million toward Elks charitable projects nationwide. Our programs continue to grow each year, allowing Elks to do even more to build stronger communities. Click here for details on all ENF programs.

This year, the ENF allocated $14.6 million to fund the Community Investments Program, investing in Elks communities through grants for Elks Lodges. Community Investments Program grants—which this year include a special Anniversary Grant to mark the 150th anniversary of the Elks—offer Lodges an opportunity 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.

How the ENF Works

The ENF is able to help Elks build stronger communities thanks to contributions from our generous donors. Since inception, we have received more than $270 million in contributions and bequests. Today we boast more than 100,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued at $812.3 million.

As of March 31, 2022, Ohio finished with 162% of the GER’s $4.80 goal.  Ohio had a per capita of $7.755 which is almost $1 better than the previous year.

The Top 10 Lodges in Ohio are:

Berea #1815 ($77.12)
Kent #1377 ($65.25)
Gallipolis #107 ($29.80)
Ohio River Valley #231 ($23.66)
Dayton #58 ($19.64)
Mount Vernon #140 ($18.96)
Elyria #465 ($18.39)
Toledo-Sylvania #53 ($16.23)
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton #1923 ($15.94)
Willoughby-Cleveland #18 ($15.50)

Top 10 Lodges in Ohio’s Chair Challenge (composite scores):

Gallipolis #107 (762)
Bucyrus #156 (724.5)
Wellsville #1040 (671)
Berea #1815 (610)
Kenton $157 (588)
Wooster #1346 (558.5)
Maumee-BG #1850 (551)
Ashland #1360 (501.5)
Columbus-Grove City #37 (493)
East Liverpool #258 (482.5)

Community Investment Program (CIP)

This year Ohio received $431,500 in ENF grants. This was another phenomenal year!  Not quite as good as last year but nevertheless very good.  Unfortunately, we left $116,000 or 20% of available grant money on the table.  It was there, the lodges just needed to apply for it.  For this coming year my goal is to reduce that amount by at least half.

56 Lodges out of 75 Lodges received at least one grant.  48 Lodges received all the grants they were eligible for, and 13 lodges received the limited Freedom Grant.  That was FANTASTIC!!  This is money that went back into our communities to help during this time of need.  It proves that Elks Care and Elks Share. 

Fidelity Club

This year continued the emphasis on the Fidelity Club giving program.  The Fidelity Club recognizes those members that set up an automatic, regularly scheduled monthly donation through their bank account or credit card.  The goal is to have 5% of our donors be members of the Fidelity Club.  Lodges that meet that goal makes them eligible for an extra $500 in their Gratitude Grant.  24 Lodges have met the Goal and will receive the extra money next year.  You can set this up for as little as $5 per month at this website enf.elks.org/recurring.  What a convenient way to donate to ENF.  Ohio has 101 new or returning Fidelity Club members.  This is an increase of 280% from the previous year.  Let’s keep up the good work and recruit more members.

What we received from ENF

ENF helped Ohio by returning $493,316 to our state in the form of $372,040 for our State Major Project and Special projects and which included a bonus grant of $37,000.  $100,000 went to our 17 Most Valuable Student Scholarships and 8 Legacy Scholarships, and $21,276 for Veterans Services Volunteers.  This represents $2.070 received for every dollar that our Ohio Members contributed to ENF.  These monies were $41,750 more than we received in 2020-21.