Community Charity
Our lodges are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up. We invest in our communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.
Our Work in Idaho Matters
Across Idaho our members work as a team to sponsor programs that build stronger communities through scholarships, medical research, recreational opportunities, and lots more.
Youth Services
Idaho Elks are committed to assisting our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. They are our nation's most valuable asset. They represent the future of our great nation.
Veteran's Services
Idaho's veterans and military members deserve our enduring gratitude for thier service. We create veteran's programs with a special focus on service to those in need.
Community Investments
The CIP Program invests in ISEA communities through Lodge grants that help Elks meet local needs. They provide much needed improvements to each Idaho community we serve.
Our Work in Idaho Matters
We bring a wide variety of programs, funding, and activities to Idaho Communities. Our goal is to make an impact!
Supporting Youth
The Elks Youth Activity Committee sponsors various programs from local lodges to more propular programs at national level.
Scholarships – Every year Elks National Foundation gives out $3.65 million in college scholarships for high school seniors. Learn More
Hoop Shoot™ – For Students all across Idaho benefit from the Hoop Shoot™ program. Learn More.
Drug Awareness – We believe in providing accurate information regarding Drug Awareness. Learn More
Americanism Essay Contest – A patriotic theme based writing contest for students 5th – 8th grade.
Soccer Shoot – This program is intended for toddlers to teenagers.
Dictionary Project – This effort has been bringing nearly 10 million dictionaries to schools and students.
Antlers – For young people ages 12-21.
Promise Grants – Offer lodges a chance to be a positive influence in their communities by holding an event that builds the character and competence of local youth.
Supporting Veterans
“So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission takes that pledge one step further, and promises service to our nation’s veterans and military members, with a special focus on service to those in need.
Thousands of Elks volunteers give generously of their time, energy and resources to serve veterans and military to ensure that pledge is not an idle one.
Today, our volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month. Through our grants to Elks Lodges, we connect with veterans and military members in their communities, providing them with services where they live. We help veterans rehabilitate and thrive through adaptive sports programs and therapy kits. Our Welcome Home initiative is reaching out to some of our most vulnerable veterans: those who are experiencing homelessness.
Freedom Grant
Freedom Grants offer a unique opportunity to harness the Elks’ passion for serving veterans and military members and turn it into projects that offer tangible results. Learn More
Supporting Communities
The Community Investment Program (CIP) invests in ISEA communities through Lodge grants that help Elks meet local needs. They provide much needed improvements to each Idaho community we serve.
Spotlight Grants – These grants are available to every Lodge to shine the light on COVID-19 relief, for there is no more pressing issue facing American communities than the response to the pandemic. Learn More
Beacon Grants – Every Lodge is eligible to apply for a Beacon Grant. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Join in, and help your Lodge become a beacon of hope to the community. Learn More
Gratitude Grants – An opportunity for Elks to think about how best to serve their community and make it stronger. Learn More
Impact Grants – Impact Grants are offered to Lodges working to make a significant and meaningful difference in the community through a charitable project. Learn More
Lodge Assistance Grants – Allow Lodges to secure donations from foundations or corporations for specific Lodge charitable projects through restricted monetary donations to the ENF. Learn More
Applying for Elks Grants
Several types of grants are available to Idaho Lodges, Members, and Communities. We offer a wide variety of funding options to meet a variety of charitable requests.
Idaho State Elks Association Grants and Scholarships
ELKS TRACKS CHARITABLE COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
In 2023, all 21 Lodges in the State of Idaho are eligible to receive $1500 to perform charitable works within their communities. Each year the amount of money available is determined by the Idaho State Elks Association Board of Directors.
Important Grant Information:
- There is no matching funds requirement for eligibility.
- The project must occur after the grant application is submitted. The funds may not be used to pay for past projects.
- Grants are not limited to areas where ENF Grants can be obtained. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the Lodge should have submitted an ENF grant for the project.
- Items considered equipment, repairs, or improvement of the Lodge must not be included in the community charitable grant request.
- If the project proposed has a budget over the amount of the grant request, the Lodge shall include information in their application regarding how the excess amount necessary will be provided/acquired.
- Monthly, the Elks Track Committee will review all grant applications and submit them to the Board of Directors for consideration.
- Only entities, organizations, or agencies may receive grant funding.
- Final reports on approved grant projects shall be due 60 days post-completion of the grant project. Final reports for each grant must be submitted and approved before the Lodge applies for additional grants.
- Grant amounts for which individual lodges can apply can accumulate yearly. To be eligible for a grant a year later than the current grant year, the Lodge must submit an “Intent to accumulate” letter and be otherwise eligible to receive a grant from the ISEA Elk Tracks program. Grant amounts can accumulate for two years and be used in the third fiscal year along with the third-year grant amount allocated to the Lodge.
Submit my Lodge Elks Tracks Grant
MOST VALUABLE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Designated $2.8 million to fund the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, which includes 500 four-year scholarships of at least $4,000. The contest features 20 top awards—10 for males, 10 for females—of at least $20,000. These 20 finalists will attend the MVS Leadership Weekend in Chicago, where they will interview for the six top scholarships of $30,000, $40,000 and $50,000.
ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS
Designated $1.6 million for the Legacy Awards scholarship program, which includes 350 four-year, $4,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of Elks. An increase of 50 scholarships from the previous fiscal year.
EMERGENCY EDUCATIONAL FUND GRANT SCHOLARSHIPS
Reserved $157,800 for the Emergency Educational Grants program. Emergency Educational Grants are one-year educational grants to the children of deceased or totally disabled Elks.
GUNTHER & LEE WEIGEL MEDICAL SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarships are scholarships offered to Elks scholars entering their first year of medical school. The scholarship was established through the generosity of the late Lee Weigel, widow of Gunther Weigel. The number of scholarships offered and amounts vary from year to year.
Idaho Elks Rehab Project Grants Available
COMMUNITY REHAB GRANTS
These grants fund rehab projects that help make communities more healthy and accessible. Projects could include building an accessible trail or a ramp for a fishing dock, installing an automatic door at a senior center, or helping fund a wheelchair-accessible van.
IDAHO ELKS LODGE LOCAL REHAB GRANTS
Idaho Elks Rehab Local Lodge Grants are intended to help local lodges address some unmet physical rehabilitation need in their community. They offer your lodge an opportunity to make a significant and meaningful difference in their community through an Elks-sponsored project.
REHAB MEDICINE GRANTS
These grants are awarded to rehab providers, universities, or other nonprofit organizations like cities or counties. Monies can be used to purchase capital rehab equipment, offer continuing education to rehab professionals, provide rehab-related community education, or fund research.
Types of Elks National Foundation Grants Available
Elks National Foundation (ENF) Grants
BEACON GRANTS
For ongoing, Elks-led, charitable activities.
$2,000 grants available to every Lodge.
GRATITUDE GRANTS
For addressing local needs.
$2,000 grants available to Lodges that meet the GER’s per-member-giving goal.
PROMISE GRANTS
For youth activities.
$2,000 grants available to the first 500 Lodges that apply with a qualifying project.
IMPACT GRANTS
For large scale, Elks-run service projects.
Competitive grants of up to $10,000 for projects with significant Elk involvement and community presence.
LODGE ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For harnessing local support.
Enable local businesses to donate to a specific Lodge charitable project through a restricted monetary gift to the ENF.
Applying for Elks Scholarships
Several types of scholarships are available to aspiring students. From those sponsored by national Grand Lodge programs like Elks National Foundation to statewide Idaho State Elks Association initiatives like the Elks Rehab Project, we offer a variety of scholarship options to meet a variety of requests. Apply today!
Want More Information on Elks Scholarships?
For information about Elks Scholarships, contact your local lodge or your school counselor.
Grow Your Herds
The success of the ISEA and Elks Grand Lodge mission depends on our efforts to increase our herds. Talk to your family, co-workers and friends today about joining the Elks!