"Great Heart of Elkdom," is a permanent trust fund established in 1928 by an original contribution of $100,000.00 to further the benevolent, charitable and educational programs of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America. Through the continued generosity of our Members, their families and friends, the permanent trust fund has grown significantly and the earnings are earmarked for distribution as determined by the Trustees of ENF. The goal of our Order is to continue to add to the fund so we may fund present programs and provide new programs as the future dictates.

By administering and promoting the many programs funded through the Elks National Foundation, we continue to show our communities that "Elks Care — Elks Share."

In excess of $15 million was granted in 2008-2009 by the Foundation to help Elks build stronger communities through:

• Most Valuable Student" Scholarships
• Elks Legacy Awards for children and grandchildren of Elks
• Emergency Education Grants for children of disabled or deceased Elks
• The Elks National "Hoop Shoot®" Free-Throw Contest
• The Elks National Veterans Service Commission
• Elks Drug Awareness Program
• Grants to State Associations to help fund their Major Project Programs
• Special Project Grants to State Associations
• Bonus Grants to State Associations
• The Community Investments Program:
  • Gratitude Grants
  • Promise Grants
  • Lodge Assistance Grants
  • Impact Grants

To continue funding these great programs, we must all support the Elks National Foundation. Every Lodge Officer and Member should be encouraged to contribute. The goal we have established for the 2009-2010 fraternal year is $4.50 per Member, or about 1.3 pennies-a-day. This is not much considering the outstanding things the ENF has accomplished and how much money we all spend on things so much less important.

Each new Member should be encouraged to participate in the ENF. The Lodge Orientation Program is the best time to extend the invitation. At that time the new Member is informed about the good the Lodge and Order do both locally and nationally. Donor recognition boards, pins and certificates should be maintained and presented to recognize and thank donors. When talking about or sponsoring the programs listed above, be sure to state that they are funded by the ENF

The Elks National Foundation recognizes contributors for cumulative gifts of $1,000.00 as Honorary Founders and $2,000.00 as Permanent Benefactors. Those making planned gifts to the ENF become members of the "John F. Malley Society" named for the person whose idea founded ENF. The Foundation has also established a "Foundation Fellowship" to recognize annual giving from donors. The six levels of annual giving range from $100 to $5,000. More information about this program can be obtained from the ENF office.

The Elks National Foundation is a nonprofit, taxexempt corporation under 501(c)(3) of the Tax Reform Act of 1959 and, as such, all contributions to are deductible for Federal income, estate and gift tax purposes.

The charitable, educational and benevolent causes supported by the Elks National Foundation are the most important financial contributions made by our Order and deserve the continued support of every Member, again proving to all that "Elks Care — Elks Share."

For more information about the Elks National Foundation, please call the Elks National Foundation office at (773) 755-4928, E-mail the office at enf@elks.org, or visit the Elks Web site at www.elks.org/enf