ENF HISTORY
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UBET - Genny Buckovich Liasion
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ENF UPDATE - June 2021 Lil Barron 435-632-4202 lbarron143@gmail.com When the 2020-2021 grant year opened on April 1 last year nothing was as it had been even a month earlier, so the Community Investments Program streamlined available grants and increased grant flexibility in the 2020-21 grant year. In total, more than 4,100 grants—totaling nearly $11.5 million—were approved to support Elks communities. The CIP approved 1,316 Gratitude Grants, the highest amount in three years. The CIP encouraged Lodges to use their Gratitude Grants to make direct donations to organizations that are better equipped to directly serve those affected by the pandemic, instead of encouraging active, in-person projects. Frankfort, Ky., Lodge No. 530 switched from its annual project of serving students and seniors to donating directly to a food pantry. The Lodge felt a responsibility to help where they were needed; even with the current hardships, the Lodge “loves to make a difference in our community.” The $2,000 Spotlight Grant had added flexibility in 2020-21, as well. Lodges could select from one of the six projects to shine a spotlight on veterans’ homelessness or family literacy, or they could use the funds for direct pandemic relief. For added flexibility, Lodges could also merge their Spotlight Grant with their Beacon Grant, for a $5,500 Beacon Grant project. The Spotlight Grant had a record-breaking year: 1,043 stand-alone Spotlight Grants were approved, and 345 Lodges opted to merge the Spotlight Grant with their Beacon Grant. In the end, 1,388 Lodges used Spotlight Grants to meet the needs in their communities—a 152 percent increase in approved Spotlight Grant applications from last year! The Beacon Grant, which opened on August 1, set another record with 1,401 Beacon Grants approved. Many Lodges suspended or changed their annual projects to meet immediate and pressing needs in a big way—especially because the Beacon Grant got a boost to $3,500 from $2,500. 2021-22 CIP Plan Elks Lodges will continue building stronger communities when the 2021-22 grant year opens April 1. Gratitude Grants are the first grant to launch, and Spotlight Grants and Beacon Grants will roll out during the summer months. Like this past year, CIP grants will feature more flexible guidelines, allowing Lodges to meet local needs while staying safe. For more information on the 2021-22 grant year, head to elks.org/cip. |
PERMANENT BENEFACTOR
Betty Archambault (center) received recognition from the Elks National Foundation as a Permanent Benefactor (a contribution of $2,000). 
HONORARY FOUNDER
Frank Snow (far left) and Tracy Cannon (second from the right) received recognition from the Elks National Foundation as an Honorary Founder (a contribution of $1,000). |