Each week, the ENF recognizes CIPerstars who have gone above and beyond in their service to the Elks National Foundation. These CIPerstars are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the ENF and the Elks community.
Senior Programs Associate
Programs Associate
Programs Coordinator
11/18/2025 Asheville, NC Lodge No: 608
Asheville, N.C., Lodge No. 608 uses its Gratitude Grant to provide food for families during the holiday season. For many years, the Lodge has provided shoes to children in need; however, food needs have increased in the Asheville community, especially after Hurricane Helene hit the area in 2024. As is often the case, the community benefited from an abundance of food donations in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. A year later, many families in the community are still struggling to put food on the table, but food donations have decreased. Recognizing this, Asheville Elks utilizes connections with the schools to identify families in need of support.
11/18/2025 Kodiak, AK Lodge No: 1772
Kodiak, Alaska, Lodge No. 1772 uses its Gratitude Grant to purchase food, household supplies, and personal care items that are then distributed to community members in need. Kodiak is home to the largest Coast Guard base in the country, where both military families and civilian employees experienced reduced or delayed payments during the shutdown, leading to increased insecurity about essential needs.
11/18/2025 Severna Park, MD Lodge No: 2482
Severna Park, Md., Lodge No. 2482 uses its Gratitude Grant to support people experiencing homelessness in partnership with the Annapolis Lighthouse, a local shelter. The Lodge provides pantry items, meals, and outings to clients of the Lighthouse, along with sleeping bags, warm clothes, and blankets for those living on the streets outside the shelter. The Lodge also works with its partner to provide clothing for people transitioning from homelessness to wear when seeking employment and self-sufficiency.
The Elks National Foundation allocated nearly $16 million this year to fund the Community Investments Program. Lodges meet local needs through grants that offer Elks opportunities to serve their community in ways that will raise the Lodge's profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that's doing great things. To learn more about the Community Investments Program, please visit elks.org/CIP. If you would like to speak to someone in the CIP office, we can be reached at 773-755-4730.