On May 10, at a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, the ENF Board of Trustees approved appropriations and distributions for the 2008-09 fiscal year totaling a record $17,071,384.

• Most Valuable Student Scholarship Competition

  Designated $2.296 million for 500 four-year scholarships for the 2009-10 through 2012-13 academic years. Applications will be available after September 1, 2008, from local Lodges, www.elks.org/enf/scholars, or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Elks National Foundation. The filing deadline is January 9, 2009. Visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars for complete details. Awards will be announced in mid-April 2009.

• Emergency Educational Fund Grants

  Reserved $350,000 for one-year educational grants to the children of deceased or totally disabled Elks, who wish to obtain or further their college education. Grants are renewable up to three times. Applicants must be unmarried and under the age of 23. Applications are available by contacting the Foundation at scholarship@elks.org.

• ENF Legacy Awards

  Designated $1,000,000 for 250 four-year, $4,000 scholarships for the children and grandchildren of Elks who have been members in good standing for at least two years. Applications will be available after September 1, 2008, from local Lodges, at www.elks.org/enf/scholars, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Foundation. Applications must be sent to the Foundation and postmarked by January 9, 2009. Awards will be announced mid-April 2009.

• Elks Drug Awareness program

  Appropriated $688,750 to completely fund the Elks Drug Awareness Program, which promotes constructive and cooperative solutions to youth substance abuse through education.

• Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program

  Granted $737,514 to fund the Elks' national free throw program, encouraging youth to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

• Soccer Shoot Promotion

  Granted $10,000 to the Youth Activities Committee to promote the Elks Soccer Shoot program at the grassroots level.

• Elks National Veterans Service Commission

  Appropriated $848,000 to help fund the Order's Veterans Service Program that provides aid and comfort for America's veterans.

• Elks Veterans Memorial Maintenance

  Granted $458,812 to maintain the Elks Veterans Memorial in Chicago.

• State Charities Grants

  Granted $3,435,100 to the state Elks associations. These grants will help fund each state's major charitable projects, which include aid for people with disabilities, cancer research, children's hospitals, youth camps and providing safe havens for abused families. Portions of these grants will also help fund state Drug Awareness, Hoop Shoot and Soccer Shoot programs.

• Special Project Grants

  Allotted $2,548,600 for the state Elks associations to help fund scholarship programs or other projects that will best extend a state's philanthropic outreach.

• Community Investments Program

  Appropriated $1,375,000 for the Community Investments Program to invest directly in Lodge communities. These projects have a significant and lasting impact on areas where Elks live and work.

• Bonus Grant

  Allocated $1,000,000 for a bonus grant.

Reserved $10,000 for miscellaneous grants.

• Fundamental Expenditures

  Appropriated $1,906,748 to help fund the day-to-day operations of the Foundation's Chicago office.

• Programs Management

  Allotted $406,860 to administer the Foundation's program and evaluation efforts.