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
6/2/2026 St. Helens, OR Lodge No: 1999
used its 25-26 Beacon Grant to hold Warm Welcome to the Library events in five towns in its county. The Lodge worked with the local Head Start to invite students and their siblings into the public library to be fitted for coats, hats and gloves and receive a book, all purchased by the Lodge. While at the library, families learned about the free literacy resources available.
6/2/2026 Lusk, WY Lodge No: 1797
uses its Gratitude Grant to support recovery groups that meet at the VA Hospital across the state border in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The Lodge began supporting the meetings several years ago by providing coffee. Elks discovered that many veterans attending these meetings came from warmer climates, so they began offering winter coats as well. Now, the Lodge provides coffee, winter clothing, toiletries and art supplies, which have proven very popular with the veterans.
5/26/2026 Casas Adobes, AZ Lodge No: 2663
uses its Spotlight Grant for a Stand Down. The Lodge provides veterans experiencing homelessness with backpacks filled with hygiene items, socks, underwear, shirts and first aid kits. Last year, the project provided about 100 veterans with essential supplies at the event, and 50 additional backpacks were donated to a transitional housing complex. The Lodge supplements the Spotlight Grant with its Freedom Grant to increase its impact.
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.