75 Years of HopeSeventy-five years ago, a seed was planted by then-GER John F. Malley that Elks everywhere could have the power to change lives, and make the world a better place to live. He proposed that the Elks create a charitable fund, fueled completely by voluntary donations, which would support community efforts across the country.
The idea of an Elks Charitable Trust was first introduced by Malley during a banquet at Meriden, Connecticut, Lodge on February 21, 1927. The following year, at the 1928 Grand Lodge Convention in Miami, the delegates voted to establish an Elks National Foundation. They were compelled to action by Malley’s description of the Foundation as “an Elk temple of philanthropy, which, in time, will be the greatest monument to a noble purpose that has ever been built by a fraternal organization.”
The Elks National Foundation established its roots with an initial $100,000 grant from the Grand Lodge. In that first year, Elks, their families and friends raised a total of $52,500. Since then, the ENF has relied on volunteers at the Lodge, district and state levels to help coordinate its fundraising strategy. These dedicated individuals reach every Elk family by hosting fundraising events, promoting the Foundation and personally inviting members to pledge their support.
All donations go into a permanent endowment fund, where each gift earns interest for lifetimes. Only the income earned by this fund can be used to support charitable programs. The value of this endowment fund is $320 million.
During 2003-04, the Elks National Foundation will distribute more than $14.8 million through college scholarship programs, the Elks Drug Awareness Program, the Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw Program, the Soccer Shoot, the Elks National Veterans Service Commission, the Elks National Home, and other programs. The Foundation also strives to give back to each state more money for its charitable programs than the Foundation received from that state in donations.
It is only through the generosity of Elks, their families and friends, who have planted seeds of hope in the Elks National Foundation, that Elks communities have the resources to make a difference.
The Elks have a long-standing tradition of working toward a better future. With your help, the Elks National Foundation will be a source of hope in our communities for the next 75 years and more.
