Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

When the 2021-22 fiscal year opened on April 1, it wasn’t a normal year. The country was still in the throes of the pandemic, and the Elks National Foundation started the year with caution.

The ENF maintained flexibility for grants, which allowed Lodges to continue responding to the most pressing needs in their communities. The Elks took those grants and ran with them just like they did in FY2021. They supported food pantries, shelters, health care clinics, schools, veterans’ organizations and so much more. When neighbors needed Elks more than ever, they were there. Elks showed that no matter what, they always care.

Elks have always found meaning in building stronger communities. But during the pandemic, the ENF helped them be there for their neighbors in unprecedented ways.

And in 2021-22, the Elks gave back to the ENF in an unprecedented way.

Elks donated a staggering $7,770,038.70 to the ENF—the first time the ENF reached more than $7 million in gifts. That’s also $1 million more than Elks gave in the previous record-setting year of 2019-20.

The incredible outpouring of support resulted in per-member giving of more more than $10 for the first time ever. The National President set the 2021-22 per-member-giving goal at $4.80, and the Elks more than doubled it, achieving $10.657 per member. That beats the previous record, also set in 2019-20, by $1.971.

For the second time since the ENF started keeping track in FY1993, all 48 state associations achieved the per-member-giving goal.

It was an unprecedented year in many ways, and one in which Elks gave like never before.

Recently, we received a note from a donor from Michigan, scrawled on the back of our thank-you letter for a gift he had given:

“I gave because I was informed that the ENF gave a sizeable amount of money to our community during a time of the pandemic when it was truly needed. So, I will continue to give for this reason.”

It is an honor for us to support Elks communities in good times and bad. It’s an honor to have supporters like the Elks. And, it’s an honor to continue building stronger communities alongside the Order.

A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Elks National Foundation helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. For more information on the ENF, visit elks.org/enf. Review the 2022-23 grants and appropriations at enf.elks.org/appropriations.