Veterans Programs

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Are you looking to connect with service-minded people in your community? Join the Elks! For the past 150 years, Elks have been welcoming veterans into their ranks as leaders. Most Lodges will offer free or discounted membership for active-duty military members or those separated from active-duty within the past two years.

Who are the Elks?

  • A fraternal order founded in 1868, "to promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship."
  • A network of nearly 1,900 lodges and 800,000 members in communities all over the country.
  • A non-political, non-sectarian organization open to American citizens over the age of 21.

What do the Elks do for veterans?

The Elks have two charitable arms: The Elks National Foundation and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission. Both of these organizations provide funding to Elks Lodges and Elks members for community service projects, many of which are specifically aimed at serving veterans and military members.

Elks Work to End Veteran Homelessness

Our Welcome Home Program is aimed at ending veteran homelessness. We’ve helped thousands of veterans exit or prevent homelessness through this program in the past three years.

Elks Support Hospitalized and Recovering Veterans.

We're on the Executive National Advisory Committee for the VA Voluntary Service Program. We have hundreds of Elks members registered as volunteers in VA Medical Centers, rehab clinics, shelters, veterans homes and more.

Elks Help Veterans Rehabilitate and Thrive.

We sponsor and volunteer at VA Adaptive Sports Events and distribute free wheelchair gloves to the veteran athletes in attendance, courtesy of the Elks Veterans Leather Program.

Elks Have Always Been There for Veterans and Military Members.

The Elks have a long and storied tradition of serving veterans, dating back to WWI. Check out this timeline to learn more.

Want to learn more about the opportunities available to you as an Elks member?

View this playlist about all our programs, including our Hoop Shoot youth basketball program, and our Elks Scholarship Programs.

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Attention Elks

Section 14.310. A Lodge may provide in its By-Laws for the waiver of the Lodge dues of any Member who is sick or in distress, and may further provide for the waiver of the dues, initiation fees or reinstatement fees of any Applicant or Member who is serving as a member on active duty in a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, or who has separated from active duty during the preceding twenty-four months by virtue of retirement or the receipt of an Honorable Discharge.

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