Elks National Foundation
Fast Facts
Fast Facts
Q. What is the Elks National Foundation?
 With a grant of 100,000, the Elks National Foundation was established in 1928 as the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America. Today we boast more than 183,000 active donors and an endowment fund valuing 430 million.
The ENF has contributed 3.5 million toward Elks' charitable projects nationwide. The Foundation is a public, non-profit, tax-exempt corporation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Tax Reform Act of 1959. Donations to the Elks National Foundation are deductible for federal income and estate tax purposes.
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Q. What is the mission of the Elks National Foundation?
The mission of the Elks National Foundation is to help Elks build stronger communities.
We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide
tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning; honor the Elks’ pledge to never
forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable
objectives and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.
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Q. How is the Foundation administered?
The Elks National
Foundation is administered by a board of trustees composed of seven
past national presidents of the BPO Elks of the USA, each serving a
seven-year term. A director, who reports to the board, oversees
day-to-day operations of the administrative offices in Chicago.
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Q. Who contributes to the Elks National Foundation?
Since inception,
the Foundation has received more than 5 million in contributions and
bequests from Elks, Lodges, state associations and other supporters of
our philanthropic efforts. With a team of volunteers at the local,
district and state levels, the Foundation raises more than million
each year.
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Q. How does the Endowment Fund work?
All unrestricted donations go into a permanent endowment fund, where each
gift earns interest for lifetimes. Your gift will never be touched. Only the income earned
by this fund can be used to support charitable programs. As the fund grows, the influence
of your gift will grow with it, forever. Each year, the ENF Board of Trustees approves
distributions from the fund for charitable projects. The current value of the fund is 0,710,973.
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Q. Who pays the Foundation's operating expenses?
The Foundation has
an operating budget of ,686,110. These expenses are borne by the
Foundation. Our administrative expenses account for only 11.2 percent
of our total distributions.
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Q. How much will the Foundation disburse this year?
The Elks National Foundation will disburse more than million during the 2006-07 year.
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Q. How will this money be used?
State Elk Association Grants:
The Foundation will distribute .17 million in State Charities Grants.
These grants help fund each state’s major charitable project, as well
as state “Hoop Shoot,” Soccer Shoot and Drug Awareness Programs. In
addition, the states will receive more than than .35 million in
special charitable project grants that help fund scholarship programs
or other projects that best extend a state’s philanthropic outreach. A
million bonus grant will also be distributed to the states.
Community Investments Program:
The Community Investments Program allows the ENF to invest directly in
Lodge communities by funding projects that have a significant and
lasting impact on areas where Elks live and work. The Foundation
budgeted 5,000 for the program's Gratitude Grants and Promise
Grants. Scholarships:
The Foundation reserved a total of .066 million for its three
scholarship programs: The Most Valuable Student contest (.216
million); Emergency Educational Grants for children of deceased or
totally incapacitated Elks (0,000); ENF Legacy Awards (0,000).
Drug Prevention: The Foundation granted 8,000 for the Elks Drug Awareness Program.
Youth Athletics:
The Foundation granted 3,810 to fund the Elks National Hoop Shoot
Free Throw Contest. In addition, we granted ,000 to the Youth
Activities Committee to promote the Elks Soccer Shoot program at the
grassroots level. Veterans Service: The ENF granted 7,550 to the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
Elks Veterans Memorial Maintenance:
The Foundation allocated 4,306 for building maintenance. In
addition, a grant of 0,000 was approved for the Foundation's Elks
Veterans Memorial Maintenance Reserve Fund.
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Q. What are the Foundation's primary giving methods?
Annual Gift: You can make a donation to the ENF via check, Discover Card, Visa or MasterCard.
Pledge: You can also contribute to the Foundation through a
pledge. You choose to receive a pledge reminder annually,
semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly.
Online Gift: Support the ENF at any time of day from the convenience of your own home.
To make your gift, go to www.elks.org/donate.
Recurring Gift: Sign up for a recurring gift and allow us to
debit your bank account or bill your credit card each month for a set
donation amount. Contact us at 773/755-4728 or enf@elks.org for more
information.
Corporate Gift: You can double the impact of your gift
through matching gifts, or sign up for payroll deductions through your
employer. Many employers will match gifts given to charitable
organizations by employees and their spouses, even if they’re retired. Tribute: You can contribute to the Foundation in memory of or in honor of friends and loved ones, online or through the mail.
Planned Gift: Show your ultimate commitment through a planned gift,
such as a bequest, gift of appreciated stock or life insurance. More
information about planned giving is available online
at www.elks.org/enf/plannedgiving.
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Q. How can I get more information?
Contact the Elks National Foundation, 2750 N.
Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614-2256; phone:
773/755-4728, fax: 773/755-4729,
e-mail: enf@elks.org.
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