Having a support system on planet Earth is particularly important for our Most Valuable Student Scholarship Top Winner Kaden Oquelí-White. Sponsored by Slidell, La., Lodge Number 2321 Kaden’s dreams have always been out of this world. As an astrobiology intern with NASA, Kaden has already been able to connect kids to our cosmos.
With our $50,000 scholarship, Kaden will attend Columbia University in the fall to study astrophysics. (Runtime: 3 mins.)
Check out highlights from the 2022 Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals. The finals took place at Wintrust Arena. It's great to be back! (Runtime: 2 mins., 56 secs.)
More than 21,000 students applied for the Most Valuable Student scholarship. Only 20 were invited to interview for the top six awards of up to $50,000. Jim, Debbie, and special guest Makenna Cannon have breaking news in today's episode: the newest members of the #ElksFamily are here. Tune in to learn the top winners of $30,000, $40,000 and $50,000 college scholarships.
Elks scholars who attended the Summer Elks Scholar Service Trip in Boston reflect on the meaning of service and why it matters so much to them. Check it out! (Runtime: 3 min. 20 secs.)
2020 MVS top winner Santiago Alvillar and his brothers are the first members of their entire family to receive a formal education. In the spring, Santiago got the news that he received $50,000 toward his college education. This fall, he started at Stanford University, where he's studying engineering physics. In the culmination of this year's top 20 interviews, Santiago, who is sponsored by Montebello, Calif., Lodge No. 2051, shares just what the scholarship means to him.
In this episode of 20 For 20, top MVS winner Sarah Harper shares her journey to becoming an Elks scholar. Sarah, sponsored by Athens, Tenn., Lodge No. 1927, received $50,000 toward her education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she studies industrial engineering. Sarah was deeply involved with band and NJROTC in high school; she built a family through both. Now, she's found a new family that she's bonded with through service and virtual connection—the #ElksFamily.
Hyannis, Massachusetts, Lodge No. 1549 is using a Spotlight Grant to address family literacy through a Community Baby Shower project. Watch this short film to see how they're building a stronger Elks community. (Runtime: 2 mins., 10 secs.)
The Top Finalists from the 2019 Most Valuable Student scholarship class have overcome different adversities that shaped who they are today–Elks scholars. During the sixth annual Leadership Weekend, they bonded through their diversity and shared their ambitious goals for the future. These students are going to change the world, and they're going to do it as members of the #ElksFamily. This film shows why. (Runtime: 5 mins., 57 secs.)
Elks scholars have shared how they view Elks in their community and how the Elks have introduced them to a life of service, and, in the final installment of "Beyond the Scholarship," they're sharing what they see for "The Future of Elkdom."
"You're not only helping your community and the country, you're making a difference on the world." Enjoy! (Runtime: 1 min., 56 secs.)
"When I go out and serve communities on behalf of the Elks, I find that what the Elks have done for us and what we're doing for the community, I find that, that service comes full circle." These students were given the opportunity to attend college because of the Elks, and now they're giving back in the name of the Elks. Full circle.(Runtime: 1 min., 44 secs.)
Next up in our "Beyond the Scholarship" series, Elks scholars share why they joined the Order and, if they haven't yet, why they want to join. There's also a special appearance from longtime Elks member Susan Waghorn! This is "The Road to the Elkdom." Enjoy! #ElksFamily (Runtime: 1 min., 51 secs.)
Introducing our new film series "Beyond the Scholarship" featuring Elks scholars talking about—what else—the Elks! In this short film, the scholars share how they view the Elks as "Pillars of the Community." (Runtime: 1 min., 57 secs.)
Elks scholars share their experience attending the Elks Scholars Service and Celebration, which marked the Elks' 150th anniversary during the National Convention in San Antonio. (Runtime: 1 min., 00 sec.)
In his first year of competing in the Hoop Shoot, Anthony Thompson not only made it to the National Finals and won the 8 to 9-year-old boys' division, but he also took home the Getty Powell award. He missed just four shots the entire season, making 40 free throws in a row at Finals. Here's a look back at his incredible Hoop Shoot season! (Runtime: 1 min., 58 secs.)
During the 2018 Most Valuable Student Leadership Weekend, Finalists from across the country came together to tell their stories. They also had the opportunity to engage in a passion they all share in common: service. (Runtime: 6 mins., 20 secs.)
The Finalists shone bright in another great year at the Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago from April 19-21, 2018. Check out the highlights! (Runtime: 2 mins., 07 secs.)
This feel-good video launched the 150th anniversary celebration. It features celebrities Jim Cramer and Steve Alford as well as a bunch of other people familiar with the Elks' impressive record of service. (Runtime: 2 mins., 37 secs.)
This short, touching tribute introduced the Foundation's portion of Opening Ceremonies at the 2017 Convention in Reno, where Chuck Williams, then our Board Chair, and his wife, Gladys, were celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary. Fair warning: It will surprise you. (Runtime: 1 min., 9 secs.)
The participants in the 2016 Leadership Weekend reflect on the experience and what their scholarships and the Elks mean to them. (Run time: 6 mins., 6 secs.)
Elks-scholar-turned-Elk Macy Warburton found her passion and got involved, and as a result, got so much more out of her scholarship than just the annual check. In this video, she encourages her peers to do the same.
The Elks National Foundation launched its first Elks Scholar Service Trip in August 2015 to Manistique in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This short film tells the story of that trip.
Need ideas for your grant projects that serve veterans? In this video, the chief of voluntary service at a VA medical center breaks down the needs of today's veterans. Check it out.
Haylee Manning didn't know the Elks could help her finish college, until a member told her. The Emergency Educational Grant program provides financial assistance to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks, who wish to obtain or further their college education.
If you'd like to travel to interesting places, meet new people, make friends, and shape the Elks scholar experience, then you should apply for the Scholar Advisory Board. Learn more by watching this video.
In a twist on the typical Legacy scholar story, Anji Radakrishnan's father joined the Elks because of her involvement with the Lodge's youth activities. Check out their story and learn more about the availability of scholarships for Elks families.
Lauren Kuhn, a Legacy Award scholarship recipient and the 2014 Miss Massachusetts, talks about the meaning of her Elks scholarship and the surprise that awaited her at the 2015 Hoop Shoot Finals.
ENF Director Jim O'Kelley sits down with 2009 MVS scholar and filmmaker Clara Ritger in this feature-length interview from the 2015 Leadership Weekend.
We strive to impart values like service to the youth who participate in our programs. Sometimes we can learn from them.
This video tells the story of a pair of Hoop Shoot finalists who turned their participation in the program into a fundraiser for sick friends.
Speaking from experience, Macy Warburton talks about the importance of engaging Elks scholars and the need to distinguish ourselves from the many other scholarship providers out there.
Jeff Mitchell is the 2014-15 Community Investments Program Volunteer of the Year. Mitchell leads the Lodge in the use of an Impact Grant. Through the EFELT project, Elks partner with local schools to identify youth in need, and provide them with a backpack of food each Friday afternoon as they leave school.
Filmed in front of a studio audience during the 2014 Elks National Convention in New Orleans, Midday, hosted by Foundation Director Jim O’Kelley, features Elks scholars sharing their experiences.
In his second year as Grants Coordinator for Hillsboro, Ore., Lodge No. 1862, Richard Shipley batted 1000. With a talented team of players alongside him, Rick helped his Lodge apply for and receive every ENF-funded grant possible!
At the Leadership Weekend in April, we shared our passion for serving veterans with the 20 Most Valuable Student finalists. This music video documents the trip to the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center while also serving as a call for our Lodges to design grant projects that meet the actual needs of today's veterans.
What happens when you fly 20 scholars to Chicago? Give them a place to congregate. Throw in some games. Teach them about the Elks through a scavenger hunt at the Memorial building. Play some trivia. And engage in service at a veterans hospital.
What happened was a weekend that none of us will ever forget.
Watch Elks National Foundation Director Jim O'Kelley explain the difference between a designated gift and donation to the Elks National Foundation's Endowment Fund.
The Elks National Foundation presents Giving Back, a five-minute segment aired on the Fox Business News Network and the Documentary Channel in December 2012.