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Our Legacy to the Future
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| In 1928, one man's dream became a reality for all
Elks. Then-Grand Exalted Ruler John F. Malley envisioned a plan that would
"unite the forces of the Order into a mighty army for the service of
mankind." During the annual Grand Lodge Convention in Miami that year,
Malley's call to service inspired delegates to take action by voting to
establish the Elks National Foundation with an initial $100,000 grant. |
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| Today, 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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| A board of seven trustees, who are all past national
presidents of the Order, governs the Elks National Foundation. The Foundation
is located at the Elks national headquarters in the Elks Veterans Memorial
in Chicago. The director, Jim O'Kelley, oversees the administration of the
Foundation's day-to-day operations. He has a staff of 16. The Foundation
also has volunteers at the Lodge, district and state levels to help coordinate
our fundraising strategy and implement our programs. |
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| Since inception, the Foundation has received more
than $183.6 million in contributions and bequests. All unrestricted donations
go into a permanent endowment fund, where each gift earns interest for lifetimes.
Today we boast more than 180,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued
at more than $381.2 million. The ENF has contributed more than $300 million
toward Elks' charitable projects nationwide. These funds support our three
college scholarship programs, the Elks National Drug Awareness Program,
the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program, the Elks National Veterans
Service Commission, the Community Investments Program, and grants to State
Elks Associations. |
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| In recent years, we've remained dedicated to increasing
the impact of our programs. For example, we doubled the Legacy Awards scholarship
program. The program, which awards scholarships exclusively to children
and grandchildren of Elks, is now $1 million strong! In 2010, up to 250
four-year, $4,000 scholarships will be awarded through the Legacy Awards
program. |
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| With the belief that Elks know the needs of their
communities better than we do, we launched the Community Investments Program
in June 2005. The program's Gratitude Grants, Promise Grants and Impact
Grants invest directly in Lodge communities. In 2009-10, the Gratitude Grants
and Promise Grants are worth up to $500 each, in order to give Lodges more
resources to make an impact locally. Impact Grants, the program's newest
component, are larger, competitive grants intended to address unmet needs
in Elk communities. This year, the grant pool again will be $500,000. These
funds will help Lodges meaningfully and visibly address needs in their communities. |
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| During the 2008-09 Lodge year, the Elks of Ohio
donated $195,598.21 to the Elks National Foundation. This year, the Foundation
will give back the following: |
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State Charities Grant: $123,250.00
Special Projects Grant: $89,360.00
Bonus Grant: $31,730.00
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state's major charitable project, as well as other philanthropic
projects. Portions of these grants will also support your state's
Drug Awareness Program, Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot and educational programs.
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National Veterans Service Commission: $12,840.00
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These funds will help them provide aid and comfort
to hospitalized veterans. Grand Total: $361,180.00
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| That's a ratio of 1.847 for every dollar
the Foundation received from your state last year. |
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| Since inception in 1928 through March 31, 2009,
the Foundation has granted a total of $8,153,128.84 to your state,
compared with your state's total donations of $6,936,982.18. That's
a ratio of 1.175 for every dollar the Foundation has received from
your state. |
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| The Foundation's past support includes: |
$3,829,181.00 in State Charities Grants
$1,083,761.00 in Special Projects Grants
$1,924,450.00 in "Most Valuable Student" Scholarships
$329,782.40 in Emergency Educational Grants to the children of deceased
or totally disabled Elks
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| For questions about ENF, please contact State
ENF Chairman Dennis Sabo at 419-483-0240, or at sabes@woh.rr.com |
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