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West Palm Beach Elks Host Karaoke and Dinner for Veterans
On May 29, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 invited a group of veterans from the local VA hospital who are blind for an evening of music, camaraderie and celebration.…
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Jupiter Elks Celebrate Flag Day and Veteran's 101st Birthday
Jupiter Elks Lodge #2469 held its annual Flag Day ceremony and summer barbecue June 14. Highlights included a flag ceremony, car and bike show, live music, family games, and participation…
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Clewiston Elks Host Fundraiser for Clewiston Friends of Animals
Clewiston Elks Lodge #1853 hosted an Easter dessert and basket auction April 17, raising more than $2,600 for Clewiston Friends of Animals in their mission to reduce animal homelessness. The…
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Winter Garden Elks Riders Raise Funds for Challenge 22
On May 26, the Winter Garden Elks Riders presented Challenge 22 with the $4,000 they raised from their Feb. 8 charity ride. Challenge 22’s mission is to end veteran suicide.…
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Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge Shares Beacon Grant with Three Food Pantries
Using its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 provided donations to three food banks. On March 1, Club Zion Ministry Director, Carole Snyder, accepted a check…
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Wine Tasting at Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge Raises Funds for Elks' Harry-Anna Trust Fund
On June 7, Cocoa Beach Lodge held a wine tasting and raised $270 for the Harry-Anna Trust Fund. Pictured are some attendees.
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17 Cocoa Beach High School Seniors Receive Scholarships from Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge
On May 16, Cocoa Beach Lodge members attended the Cocoa Beach High School senior awards ceremony and presented $12,000 in academic scholarships and $3,000 in vocational scholarships to 17 graduating…
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Cocoa Beach Elks Shop with Eight Veterans for Items to Set up their New Homes
On June 11, eight members of Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 shopped with eight veterans at Dollar General in Cocoa Beach, purchasing $3218.30 worth of goods for the veterans. With…
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Upcoming Events
June 29 - July 2, 2025
July 19, 2025
September 18-20, 2025
November 13-15, 2025
December 31, 2025
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updated 5/6/2025
Honoring Our Veterans
Since 1917, the Elks have demonstrated its compassion for Veterans through numerous programs and activities.
On June 1, $4,000 Beacon Grants will become available to every Lodge.
Typically, Beacon Grants must be used for active projects. However, given the ongoing nature of the pandemic, the flexibility we built in for Lodges to meet pressing needs in their own backyards will continue again this grant year. Here’s how we've relaxed Beacon Grant guidelines due to the pandemic.
Keep on keepin’ on. If the Lodge can continue its regular Beacon Grant project with safety precautions, fantastic.
Nope, still not safe. If an active Elks-led project isn't feasible, donations will be considered to the partner organization the Lodge usually works with, or to an organization providing COVID relief.
Change it up. If a Lodge would like to continue to pause its regular Beacon Grant project for a COVID-19 relief project, we support that plan.
Split it up. From the beginning, the Beacon Grant has only been allowed for one annual project. Again this year, it can be split between up to two projects.
Merge it. With just the click of a button on the Grants Dashboard, the Lodge can opt to merge their Spotlight Grant with their Beacon Grant, making a total of $5,500 available for a Beacon Grant project.
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.
Resources
Applying
2021-22 Dates: NOTICE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications for 2021-22 Beacon Grants will open June 1, 2021. Applications will close January 17, 2022. Funds must be spent by March 31, 2022.
How to apply: The Lodge Secretary or ENF Grants Coordinator is able to access, 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 address. A Lodge can use its $3,500 Beacon Grant in conjunction with a Gratitude Grant, Spotlight Grant or Freedom 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.
Overview
- COVID-19 Relief
- Warm Welcome to the Library
- Suds & Stories
- Community Baby Shower
- Welcome Home
- Stand Down
- Adopt-A-Haven
Act Now.
Merge it.
Beacon Grants open on June 1. Lodges have the option to merge the $3,500 Beacon Grant with a Spotlight Grant, if planning and executing a large-scale project is safe and doable.Ready Made.
In 2019-20, the Spotlight Grant debuted with off-the-shelf projects designed to give every Lodge the opportunity to shine a light on two important issues facing nearly every American community—family literacy and homelessness among our nation’s veterans. The pandemic is likely to intensify these issues moving forward.A Lodge that received a Spotlight Grant and would like to continue the project is welcome to do so.
A Lodge looking for something ready-made can choose one of the project plans offered.
Spotlight Grant funds cannot be split between multiple project plans.
Lodges do need to be in grant compliance, but do not need to meet the GER's per-member-giving goal to apply.
Click here for a few causes that could benefit from Lodge grant support. Your Lodge may identify others. You know your community best.
Resources
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
2021-22 Dates: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications for 2021-22 Spotlight Grants will open June 1, 2021. Applications will close January 17, 2022. Funds must be spent by March 31, 2022.
How to Apply: The Lodge Secretary or ENF Grants Coordinator is able to access, 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 address. A Lodge can use its $2,000 Spotlight Grant in conjunction with a Gratitude, Beacon or Freedom 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.
2020-21 Freedom Grants have been awarded!
In 2021-22, the Elks National Veterans Service Commission will award Freedom Grants of $2,500 to 350 Lodges with projects or donations that serve veterans and active-duty military members. Elk involvement is encouraged, but donations will be allowed again this year when COVID precautions or regulations prevent participation.
To see examples of projects adapted for COVID safety from other Lodges, please click here.
If you have questions about the Freedom Grant as your Lodge is planning a project and preparing to apply, please contact the ENVSC office at Vets@elks.org with any questions.
"So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them."
Freedom Grant projects must focus on one of these five areas:
- employment
- homelessness and housing
- military families
- health
- educational support
Applications must follow all grant guidelines. Please take the time to craft detailed and complete applications that explain how your Lodge is serving veterans in need. Expect follow-up for applications that do not provide enough information. Qualifying applications will describe in detail:
- How many Elks will be involved and what they will do
- How the project addresses the needs of veterans and/or military members
- How the Lodge will budget the grant
Basic Grant Guidelines
Click here for a succinct, printable version of our general CIP grant guidelines.
Charitable: 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: 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.
Resources
Applying
2021-22 Dates: Freedom Grant applications will become available online April 1, 2021, and will be open until all 350 grants are awarded. Freedom Grants are available for use between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Final Report Forms are due one month after Freedom Grant projects are completed.
How to Apply: The Lodge Secretary or Grants Coordinator is able to process, complete and submit the online application.
Process: Upon approval of a Lodge's online application, an approval letter and grant check will be sent to the Lodge address. A Lodge can use its $2,500 Freedom Grant in conjunction with a Beacon Grant, Spotlight Grant and/or a Gratitude Grant. Applications must be submitted separately.
Online Final Report: Final Reports are online and can be accessed on the Grants Dashboard. 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. The Lodge will be locked out of applying for grants 60 days from that date.
WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW 2021-22 FREEDOM GRANT APPLICATIONS
Questions? Email Vets@elks.org or call 773/755-4736.
Great news! To help kick-off another 150 years of service through the BPOE, the ENF has decided to offer the Anniversary Grant for a second grant year! This $1,500 grant offers an opportunity for Lodges to do even more charitable work. All Lodges are eligible for a 2018-19 Anniversary Grant, regardless of meeting the ENF per-member-giving goal. Much like the Gratitude Grant, the Anniversary Grant has flexible guidelines.
2018-19 Anniversary Grant applications open July 1, 2018, and are available for use during the 2018-19 CIP grant cycle. If you received an Anniversary Grant in 2017-18, you are eligible to receive another in the 2018-19 grant year. If you didn't receive a 2017-18 Anniversary Grant, this is your chance to get one! Anniversary Grants are the ENF's way of celebrating every Lodge's commitment to their community through service.
Will your Lodge be applying for a 2018-19 Beacon or Gratitude Grant? Consider using the Anniversary Grant to supersize your grant project. Your Lodge has the option to add on the $1,500 Anniversary Grant to your Beacon or Gratitude Grant budget when you apply for those grants, rather than filling out a separate Anniversary Grant application.
***Please note: Anniversary Grants may not be used to fund 150th celebration parties, or general Lodge awareness events. Please see the basic CIP grant guidelines below.
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.
Resources
One page Anniversary Grant Flyer
Applying
Lodges have the option to apply for the Anniversary Grant one of two ways:
1. Fill out an Anniversary Grant application for a new and/or separate charitable project. This option comes with its own Final Report Form requirements. If the Lodge chooses this option, the Lodge is not eligible to supersize a Beacon or Gratitude Grant.
2. Supersize another grant project. Your Lodge will have the option to add on the Anniversary Grant to your Beacon, Promise or Gratitude Grant budget when you apply. $1,500 will be added to the grant check, and the Lodge will report on the full amount granted on the Final Report Form. If the Lodge chooses this option, the Lodge is not eligible to submit a separate Anniversary Grant application.
Dates: 2018-19 Anniversary Grant applications open July 1 and close December 31, 2018. All 2018-19 grant funds must be used by March 31, 2019. This includes Anniversary Grant funds being used to supersize other grant projects, or separate Anniversary Grant projects.
Online Final Report: Final Reports are online and can be accessed on the Grants Dashboard. 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. The Lodge will be locked out of applying for grants 60 days from that date.