The Elks are steeped in a history of charity – which isn’t surprising considering it’s a pillar of the fraternity.
The Elks National Foundation (ENF) was established by John F. Malley in 1928 when he rallied The Elks to create the organization with an initial $100,000 grant.
These days the foundation is worth over half a billion dollars, and it hands out millions of dollars in grants each year.
The ENF provides for community investments on the national, state, and local levels.
It also provides grants for scholarships, youth programs, and veterans services throughout the country.
The Washington State Elks Association has proudly sponsored the Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children since 1954. Donors to the program are often referred to as “Tall Elks”.
The Elks make giving nearly effortless. The Elks National Foundation provides all members with a quick and easy way to donate via the ENF Fidelity Club. You can sign-up to donate as little as $5 a month to support youth, veterans, and Elks communities nationwide. Your donation goes directly to the programs and grants supported by the ENF. The Elks National Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means that your donation to the ENF is also tax-deductible.
The Yakima Lodge organizes several events throughout the year that directly benefit the local community, the Washington Elks Therapy Program, and the Elks National Foundation.
So far in 2022-2023, the Yakima Elks Lodge donated a large amount of toiletries and supplies to our local veterans as part of the Yakima Valley Veteran’s Coalition Toiletry Drive. The combined efforts of our member donations (and a $2500 grant from the ENF) made it a spectacular success.
In our 2021-2022 Lodge year, we donated school supplies and backpacks to children and schools within our community.
In our 2020-2021 Lodge year we donated 400 food boxes to those in need.
The 2021 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student (ENF MVS) scholarship winner was Jacob Lockman from the Mount Adams Lodge (White Salmon, WA).