Each year, the Elks National Foundation strives to award more money to each state association than it received in donations from that state’s donors the previous year. This assistance comes in the form of three grants—the Special Project Grant, the State Charities Grant and Bonus Grant.

What’s the difference between the grants?

Special Project Grants allow the ENF to provide state associations with the resources to support national programs, expand their existing charitable projects and explore new initiatives. Most states use the special project grants for scholarship programs or other projects that best extend their philanthropic outreach.

State Charities Grants typically fund state major projects, such as aid for people with disabilities, cancer research, children’s hospitals, youth camps and safe havens for abused families. Portions of these grants also fund state Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot and drug awareness programs.

Bonus Grants are allocated to states to fulfill their charitable and philanthropic endeavors.

How much does each state receive?

The amount each state receives through the State Charities Grant program is directly related to the total contributed by donors from that state to the Foundation. Each state receives a percentage of the total grant based on its percentage of total cumulative giving and total prior-year giving.

In contrast to the state charities grants, which are based on a state’s giving totals to the ENF, the special project grant amounts are fixed. Each state receives what it was receiving through the old allocated and vocational scholarship programs at the time they were cancelled.

Donations to the Elks National Foundation, in addition to funding Elks National programs, also have an impact at the local and state levels. When you give to the ENF, you increase the resources your state has to fund programs in your community.

To learn more about how the ENF is helping your state, visit the State Grants section of the website.