Grantmaking public charity · EIN 26-3718342
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Elks National Foundation Inc is a public charity that makes grants based in Chicago, IL. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2025, it reported $40.4M in grants paid across 2,429 grants, with $954M in total assets. Its largest grants went to Elks National Veterans Service Commission, Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust and California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc.
How to request funding
Its Form 990 lists the grants it made but not how it chooses recipients. Check Elks National Foundation Inc's website or contact it to ask whether it considers requests.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
Grants to the elks national veterans service commission and to the elks veterans memorial restoration trust are based on their projected operating expenses. these organizations submit proposed budgets to the foundation and the board of trustees approves an annual grant based on those budgets. these organizations provide the foundation with their annual audited financial statements. grants to the elks state associations are calculated using current and historical contribution rates of donors within the state. each state association must submit a budget for its grant that is subject to review and approval by the foundation before payment. at the conclusion of the grant year, the state association is required to furnish the foundation an accounting and certification indicating how the grant funds were used. the foundation compares the certification report with the budget and follows up with the association to resolve any significant discrepancies. in the event that a state association does not submit a certifiction report or fails to adhere to the grant guidelines, the foundation withholds future grants. grants to elks lodges are made for community related projects or activities. all lodge grants require written application and are subject to review and approval by the foundation. larger "impact grants" require a signed grant agreement from the lodge that spells out the term of the grant. for the duration of the grant, the lodge provides quartely progress reports detailing activ
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2025; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
The foundation's mission is to help the benevolent and protective order of elks of the united states of america (bpoe) build stronger communities by offering college scholarships, funding programs that build the character and confidence of youth, serving veterans, and providing elks lodges and state associations with resources they need to accomplish their charitable objectives.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2025
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elks National Veterans Service Commission | Chicago, IL | Programs Support | $6,314,345 |
| Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust | Chicago, IL | Chicago Memorial 100th Anniversary 1926-2026 | $2,000,000 |
| California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc | Fresno, CA | State Charitable Grant | $1,684,670 |
| Elks National Drug Awareness Commission | Chicago, IL | Programs Support | $1,001,380 |
| Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust | Chicago, IL | Building Maintenance and Repairs | $813,080 |
| Florida Elks Charities Inc | Umatilla, FL | State Charitable Grant | $645,950 |
| N J State Elks Association Charities Inc | Toms River, NJ | State Charitable Grant | $644,330 |
| New York Elks Major Projects Inc | Waterford, NY | State Charitable Grant | $503,090 |
| Ohio Elks Association Charitable Trust | Marysville, OH | State Charitable Grant | $438,380 |
| Arizona Elks Association | Kearny, AZ | State Charitable Grant | $405,180 |
| Pennsylvania Elks Major Projects Inc | Seward, PA | State Charitable Grant | $404,110 |
| Massachusetts Elks Charitable Trust | Auburn, MA | State Charitable Grant | $374,430 |
| Illinois Elks Association Charitable Trust | Centralia, IL | State Charitable Grant | $367,180 |
| Texas Elks Endowment Incorporated | Katy, TX | State Charitable Grant | $365,630 |
| Colorado Elks Association Charities Inc | Berthoud, CO | State Charitable Grant | $360,680 |
| Oregon State Elks Association Trust | Portland, OR | State Charitable Grant | $348,410 |
| Washington State Elks Association Charitable Trust | Tacoma, WA | State Charitable Grant | $347,560 |
| Maryland Delaware & District of Columbia Elks Association Inc | Havre De Grace, MD | State Charitable Grant | $342,140 |
| Michigan Elks Association Charitable Organization Inc | Benton Harbor, MI | State Charitable Grant | $316,700 |
| Missouri Elks Charitable Fund Inc | Arcadia, MO | State Charitable Grant | $285,080 |
| Connecticut Elks Association Charities Inc | Pomfret, CT | State Charitable Grant | $232,790 |
| Wisconsin Elks Benevolent Fund Inc | Janesville, WI | State Charitable Grant | $215,620 |
| South Carolina Elks Charitable Trust | Rock Hill, SC | State Charitable Grant | $213,220 |
| Indiana Elks Charities Inc | Wanatah, IN | State Charitable Grant | $194,630 |
| North Carolina State Elks Association Charitable Trust | Roxboro, NC | State Charitable Grant | $178,280 |
The 25 largest of 2,429 grants listed on the return. 893 grants to individuals ($3.4M) are counted but not named. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
- Illinois$11.1M · 61 grants
- California$2.87M · 125 grants
- Florida$1.79M · 85 grants
- New Jersey$1.59M · 97 grants
- New York$1.42M · 97 grants
- Texas$949K · 57 grants
- Ohio$944K · 55 grants
- Pennsylvania$899K · 54 grants
- Missouri$893K · 65 grants
- Arizona$852K · 36 grants
- Massachusetts$836K · 46 grants
- Michigan$767K · 49 grants
Quick answers
Does Elks National Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Its Form 990 lists the grants it made but not how it chooses recipients. Check Elks National Foundation Inc's website or contact it to ask whether it considers requests. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does Elks National Foundation Inc give each year?
For tax year 2025, it reported $40,399,917 in grants paid (2,429 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has Elks National Foundation Inc funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2025 went to Elks National Veterans Service Commission (IL), $6.31M, Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust (IL), $2M, California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc (CA), $1.68M, Elks National Drug Awareness Commission (IL), $1M and Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust (IL), $813K.