OUR LEGACY TO THE FUTURE
Elks National Foundation (ENF)
The mission of the Elks National Foundation (ENF) is to help Elks build stronger communities. We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with lifelong skills; honor the Elks pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.
Like all Elks, the Foundation values the belief that charity is the greatest of all virtues and that by sharing and giving we have the power to replace sorrow and despair with hope and confidence. Donations to the Foundation help us fund programs that match our cornerstone values of knowledge, integrity and community.
Our programs include Scholarships (college financial aid), Hoop Shoot (youth basketball program), Drug Awareness (information for youth), Elks National Memorial (honoring their service), Elks Veterans Services (programs for veterans), Community Investments (serving local communities by putting Grants to use) and State Projects (Maine Children’s Cancer, Scarborough).
The Foundation’s budget for program services in the 2020-21 fiscal year totals $36.1 million.
| Community Investments Program | $14.6 million |
| State Elks Association Grants | $10.1 million |
| Scholarship Programs | $4.6 million |
| Elks National Veterans Service Program | $3.6 million |
| Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest | $1.1 million |
| Elks Drug Awareness Program | $964,710 |
| Elks Memorial Building Maintenance | $845,470 |
To see how the Elks National Foundation (ENF) is helping the State of Maine?
Drug Awareness Program for Youth
The Elks National Drug Awareness Program strives to teach all children and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs. As the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States, the program relies on state, district and Lodge volunteers to promote a drug-free lifestyle. By taking pride in America’s communities and youth, the program takes action against youth drug use through education and inspiration.
Hoop Shoot
The Elks National Hoop Shoot is a free throw program for youth 8 – 13. Through the Hoop Shoot program, the Elks have been developing and reinforcing grit for more than 45 years–long before researchers and experts concluded that grit is so important for our children.
The grit movement started a few years ago when psychologist Angela Duckworth studied people in challenging situations, including National Spelling Bee participants, rookie teachers in tough neighborhoods, and West Point cadets. Her research suggested that grit was a more accurate predictor of success than social intelligence, good looks, physical health, or IQ.
Christmas Food Baskets
Each year the Rockland Elks Lodge #1008 distributes 100 or more baskets of food to needy families in the midcoast of Maine during the Christmas season. The families are qualified by the local Salvation Army. The baskets given out consist of a turkey and all the trimmings to ensure the recipient families have a Christmas meal available to them.
BINGO
Rockland Elks Lodge #1008 hosts a weekly bingo on Wednesday nights open to the public supported by volunteers from the Lodge and meals offered by Rockland Emblem Club volunteers. Doors open at 5:30pm with Bingo starting at 6:30pm.