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 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.
11/4/2025 Hackensack, NJ Lodge No: 658
Hackensack, N.J., Lodge No. 658 uses its Impact Grant for its project “HELLO – Hackensack Elks Little Library Operation”. The Lodge sets up, maintains, and restocks free little library boxes throughout its community to ensure access to quality reading materials. The boxes have been a massive hit, with families frequently visiting to pick out a book or drop off their own. Community members value the boxes so much that they have taken the initiative to make repairs on their own.
11/4/2025 Putnam, CT Lodge No: 574
Putnam, Conn., Lodge No. 574 uses its Spotlight Grant to provide items not covered by the SNAP program to those experiencing insecurity in its community. The Spotlight Grant funds cover a gap in service before the Lodge’s Impact Grant, which is funded for the same project, is renewed. Through its relationships with local nonprofits, the Lodge connects with and supports a number of populations, including seniors, people with disabilities and veterans. Usually, the Lodge purchases items such as hygiene materials, personal care items and school supplies; with the SNAP program’s recent cuts, the Putnam Elks will likely purchase more supplies with its grant funds, making it more essential to those it serves than ever.
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.