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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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 17. The Foundation also has volunteers at the Lodge, district and state levels to help coordinate our fundraising strategy and implement our programs. | |
| Since inception, the Foundation has received more than $178.7 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 $445 million. The ENF has contributed $293 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. | |
| A quick recap of how Ohio benefits from the Elks National Foundation: During the 2007-08 lodge year, Ohio Elks donated $228,639.46 to the Elks National Foundation. In return, Ohio will receive this year grants totaling $371,870 from the ENF, including state charities grants of $129,340, a special projects grant in the amount of $85,920, and a bonus grant of $36,490. The bulk of these grants will go toward our state’s major project, Cerebral Palsy Research. Other portions of these grants will fund Ohio’s Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shootout, and Drug Awareness programs. | |
| In addition, Ohio will receive a $76,000 grant for Most Valuable Student scholarships, and a $32,000 grant for Legacy Scholarships, and a grant of $12,120 earmarked for Veterans Service volunteers. | |
| Overall, this is a ratio of $1.626 received for each $1 donated by Ohio Elks members last year, and since its inception in 1928 to the present day, the ENF has granted a total of $7,796,845.84 to Ohio, compared with Ohio donations of $6,741,383.97, or a ratio of $1.157 for every dollar donated. | |
| 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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