Elks National Foundation Inc
Elks National Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1928, it supports scholarships and youth programs, veterans services, state Elks associations, and charitable projects in local Elks communities.
Elks National Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Elks National Foundation Inc gave $36.5M across 1,536 grants in 2026 (avg $24K), top state Illinois. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $36,489,888
- +14.5% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 1,536
- +3.4% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $23,756
- +10.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $954,119,229
- +7.8% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Illinois (30% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Elks National Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Community Investments Program and Freedom Grants are Lodge programs. For a 2026–27 Freedom Grant, Lodges must submit their 2025–26 final report and be compliant with their other grants. Projects must serve a population in need and address employment, homelessness and housing, military families, health, or educational support. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; the application period is to remain open until 1,000 qualifying applications are approved. The Emergency Educational Grants require financial need, full-time enrollment at an accredited U.S. college or university, and other eligibility conditions including being unmarried and under 24 during the application year. The stated Cornerstone Grant criteria require an Elks scholar and at least one core partner.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 2750 N Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-1889
Phone: (773) 755-4728
Website: https://elks.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Elks National Foundation Inc
Elks National Foundation: Cornerstone Grants
Elks National Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Elks National Foundation: Legacy Awards Grant
Elks National Foundation Inc
Amount
US $4,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Emergency Educational Grants
Elks National Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Elks National Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Elks National Veterans Service Commission ($6.3M). Together the top 10 received $14.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
6,017 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5,819 grants of 6,017 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its work as investing in communities where Elks live and work and says it has contributed to Elks charitable projects nationwide. In 2026, Illinois accounted for 30% of reported grant dollars, followed by California at 8%, Florida at 5%, and New Jersey and New York at 4% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 1,536 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Elks National Foundation Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $24.5M (2024) to $36.5M (2026). In 2026 it made 1,536 grants totaling $36.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | 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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $954,119,229 | $61,768,710 | $49,207,140 | $36,489,888 | 1,536 | $51,334,140 |
| 2025 | $884,971,330 | $61,600,573 | $44,533,130 | $31,866,745 | 1,485 | $48,711,138 |
| 2024 | $925,982,127 | $37,385,570 | $40,244,595 | $24,534,264 | 1,511 | $27,165,622 |
| 2023 | $876,926,878 | $27,750,732 | $42,597,331 | $28,871,915 | 1,479 | $17,006,526 |
| 2022 | $925,414,359 | $95,466,562 | $37,180,568 | $26,082,390 | 6 | $86,381,741 |
| 2021 | $936,472,552 | $62,047,958 | $32,848,662 | $25,465,291 | 4 | $55,362,078 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to help the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America build stronger communities by offering college scholarships, funding youth programs, serving veterans, and providing Elks Lodges and state associations with resources for charitable work.
Its stated activities include academic scholarships, grants to state Elks associations, grants to Lodges for community projects, and funding for veterans and drug-awareness programs. The Foundation also funds the Elks Hoop Shoot and maintains the Elks Veterans Memorial.
Among its 2026 grantees, the Elks National Veterans Service Commission says its programs provide direct service to veterans and military members, including support for hospitalized veterans and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust says it restores, repairs, and maintains the memorial building and its art. California-Hawaii Elks Major Project says it provides therapy and vision screening to children with disabilities. The Elks National Drug Awareness Commission says it works to prevent youth drug use and raise awareness of drug abuse.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the Foundation reported 1,536 grants totaling $36,489,888. Grant amounts ranged from $5,410 to $6,314,345, with a median of $10,000.
The largest reported grants included $6,314,345 to the Elks National Veterans Service Commission for program support; $2,000,000 to the Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust for the Chicago Memorial’s 100th anniversary; $1,684,670 to California-Hawaii Elks Major Project for a state charitable grant; and $1,001,380 to the Elks National Drug Awareness Commission for program support. Other large state charitable grants included $645,950 to Florida Elks Charities, $644,330 to New Jersey State Elks Association Charities, and $503,090 to New York Elks Major Projects.
For 2026–27, the Foundation’s website lists planned allocations including $18.8 million for the Community Investments Program, $11.7 million for state Elks association grants, $5.8 million for scholarship programs, and $7.3 million for the veterans service program. Its Community Investments Program provides grants directly to Lodges. The Foundation’s 2026–27 seminar materials say Lodges may receive up to $11,500 across the Beacon, Gratitude, and Spotlight grants.
The Foundation also describes scholarship opportunities for individuals. Its Emergency Educational Grants provide up to $5,000 for eligible undergraduate students who are children of deceased or totally disabled Elks. The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship is restricted to current or former ENF scholarship recipients entering medical school. Cornerstone Grants are for Elks scholars organizing community service projects, with applications requiring at least one core partner such as another Elks scholar, a student organization, a nonprofit, or an Elks Lodge.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Roger R. True as chairman; James L. Nichelson as vice chairman; John D. Amen as secretary; F. Louis Sulsberger as treasurer; James M. McQuillan as assistant secretary; Michael F. Smith and Robert L. Duitsman as trustees; James O’Kelley III as director; and Deborah Kahler Doles as assistant director.
Elks National Foundation Inc is led by Roger R. True, Chairman since 2026 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 9 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Roger R. True
Chairman
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2024
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James O'Kelley III
Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$142K (2021) → $156K (2026)
Michael F. Smith
Trustee
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2024
Chairman → Trustee, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert L. Duitsman
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Kahler Doles
Assistant Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024) → $109K (2026)
F. Louis Sulsberger
Treasurer
Member & Past Chairman → Assistant Secretary, 2024
Assistant Secretary → Treasurer, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James L. Nichelson
Vice Chairman
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James M. McQuillan
Assistant Secretary
Chairman → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Assistant Secretary, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John D. Amen
Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Secretary, 2026
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Louis J. Grillo (2021–2025) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Charles F. Williams (2021) — Assistant Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $156K, to James O'Kelley III (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Elks National Foundation Inc
How much does Elks National Foundation Inc give each year?
Elks National Foundation Inc gave $36.5M across 1,536 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $31.9M across 1,485 grants.
What is Elks National Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Elks National Foundation Inc's median grant in 2026 was $10,000, and its average grant was $23,756, across 1,536 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990.
Where does Elks National Foundation Inc give grants?
Elks National Foundation Inc's top state is Illinois, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990. The next largest state was California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants), Tucson, AZ (3 grants), St. Louis, MO (3 grants) and Fresno, CA (2 grants).
Does Elks National Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 1,536 grants with a stated purpose on Elks National Foundation Inc's 2026 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Investments Program" (1478 grants) and "State Charitable Grant" (51 grants).
Who are Elks National Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Elks National Foundation Inc's largest 2026 grantees include Elks National Veterans Service Commission ($6,314,345), Elks Veterans Memorial Restoration Trust ($2,813,080 across 2 grants) and California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc ($1,684,670), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Elks National Foundation Inc?
Elks National Foundation Inc reported $954.1M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $61.8M.
What does Elks National Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to help the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America build stronger communities by offering college scholarships, funding youth programs, serving veterans, and providing Elks Lodges and state associations with resources for charitable work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elks National Foundation Inc?
The Community Investments Program and Freedom Grants are Lodge programs. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elks National Foundation Inc's EIN?
Elks National Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3718342. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elks National Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Elks National Veterans Service Commission
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission funds Elks Lodge projects serving veterans and military members in need, including housing and homelessness support, health services, employment, education, and help for military families. It supports projects nationwide; its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, with awards ranging from $5,043 to $82,088.
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The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota funds community-led work advancing gender and racial justice, including safety, leadership, well-being and reproductive justice, and economic justice; grants support general operating expenses. Its giving varies: 2025 awards ranged from $5,250 to $340,000, with a median of $20,375, and primarily support organizations serving communities across Minnesota. Community Response, We Thrive, and sponsorship grants are invitation-only; the profile also lists the AURA Fund for Women as open.
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Charity Works Inc
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The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Atlanta, GA
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation funds work in Atlanta’s Westside, democracy, the environment, mental health and well-being, youth development, and founder initiatives, with a focus on Georgia and Montana and some national impact. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $20 million, with a median of $50,000. It makes grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Elks National Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elks-national-foundation-inc-morg_038af04e0eaf436181782746211bf664
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_263718342_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Elks National Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/elks-national-foundation-inc-morg_038af04e0eaf436181782746211bf664},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Elks National Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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