Elks National Veterans Service
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission is a nonprofit philanthropic organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1946, it operates as the veterans service arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), which has served communities since 1868. The organization traces its veterans work back to World War I, when the Elks formed the Elks War Relief Commission. Today, the Commission provides direct services to veterans and military members across the United States through a network of volunteers and grants distributed to local Elks lodges.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$708K
+23.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+18.8% YoY
Grant Count
158
+13.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+4.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Commission's stated mission is: "Through the work of Elks members, we serve thousands of veterans and military members through programs that help hospitalized veterans recover and thrive, provide veterans with resources to exit or prevent homelessness, support military families, and meet the needs of veterans and military members in need in Elks communities throughout the nation."
Primary focus areas include:
- Hospitalized Veteran Support: Direct volunteer service in veterans facilities
- Homelessness Prevention and Exit: The "Welcome Home" initiative targeting vulnerable veterans experiencing homelessness
- Adaptive Sports Programs: Rehabilitation and therapeutic services for veterans
- Military Family Support: Resources for military families
- Community-Based Services: Programs delivered through local Elks lodges
Grantmaking
The Commission awards grants to Elks lodges to support local veterans services. These grants enable lodges to implement projects and programs addressing unmet needs in their communities.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Commission operates nationally across the United States. Volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month, including VA Medical Centers, State Veterans Facilities, and Vets Centers.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $708,223 | $573,639 | $5,694,904 |
| Revenue | $5,790,365 | $167,544 | $5,181,799 |
| Expenses | $5,630,025 | $5,183,074 | $4,716,044 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $86,942 | $50,545 | $-4,470 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Director: Mary Katherine Morgan
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL RYAN | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| BRUCE HIDLEY | VICE-CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| RANDY SHOOK | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN AMEN | PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT DUITSMAN | PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| BRYAN KLATT | GRAND SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Commission has been active in addressing veteran homelessness through its Welcome Home initiative, which specifically targets vulnerable veterans experiencing housing instability. The organization continues to expand its volunteer presence and grant distribution to support veterans in their local communities.
Veterans Assistance Commission announces leadership updates - CNHISubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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