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
7/8/2025 Alexandria, MN Lodge No: 1685
uses its Gratitude Grant to address critical community needs through various charitable projects. The Lodge creates and distributes supply kits to support individuals facing hardships in areas such as housing, transportation and mental health. Kits include a variety of items, from personal hygiene products to bus passes to coloring books. Additionally, the Lodge supports a backpack program, which provides students with supplemental food over weekends during the school year.
7/8/2025 Hopkins, MN Lodge No: 2221
uses its Beacon Grant for two projects. First, the Lodge serves families who are experiencing homelessness or living below the poverty line. Through events in summer and winter, the Lodge provides school supplies and warm clothing. The Lodge also collaborates with a low-income housing facility for veterans to provide a holiday meal, as well as packages of food for the veterans to enjoy over the winter. Lodge members bring home-baked goodies to the meal, which are very popular with the veterans!
7/8/2025 Portsmouth, NH Lodge No: 97
uses its Spotlight Grant to offer food and enrichment to adults with developmental disabilities through healthy cooking classes in collaboration with a local nonprofit, Great Bay Services. The Lodge covers the costs of food and materials for the class, and two members of the Lodge, who are professional chefs, volunteer to teach the courses. The classes empower the students with functional skills to make nutritious meals and to be more conscious of healthy food choices.
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.