ENF/ Officer Training 2015

ENF Grants 2015/2016 ENF Budget $28,950,000 Budget for CIP grants is $9,756,000 Budget for Freedom Grants is $360,000

Grants available from, funded by or facilitated by ENF Available; Community Investment Grants : Community Impact Grant, Promise Grant, Beacon Grant, Gratitude Grant Funded; Freedom Grant Facilitated ; Lodge Assistance Grant

All Grants must be for a charitable function in your Community Some are for a specific group, Promise for a youth project, Freedom for a Veterans project. Not for a project to benefit the Lodge Not to just give money to a group or organization.

Needed for all Grants: 3Ps & a B Project Plan People Budget

Project A detailed project that can be completed during the eligible period, July 2015 through July 2016

Plan A detailed, step by step plan of how the project will be completed, with time lines and the expected results.

People The people who will be involved, with emphasis on the number of Elks who will be involved. The more Elks involved the better your chances of getting approval.

Budget A detailed budget for the entire project, including not only the monies received from ENF, but any other funds from the Lodge or other sources

When? Applications for the Impact Grant will be available June 15 th ; Promise Grant & Beacon Grant July 1 st ; and Freedom Grant August 1 st, will be available on CLEMS. Applications for the Gratitude Grant will be available when your Lodge meets or exceeds the GER’s Goal. The Goal for the past two years has been$4.60 but the Goal for next year will be announced at the National Convention. ( we may get the information sooner but don’t count on that) BUT

The time to start Planning is NOW Your Lodge should begin planning for each of the Grants now, so that you can submit as soon as the Grants become available. This will increase your odds of being successful on both the Promise Grant and the Freedom Grant.

Who can apply for the Grants? The Lodge Secretary or the appointed Lodge ENF Grant Coordinator. Detailed information on how to appoint an ENF Grant Coordinator is available in the ENF section of Elks.org

Impact Grant Large-scale service projects Impact Grants are offered to Lodges working to make a significant and meaningful difference in the community through a charitable project. Competitive grants of up to $10,000 inspire Elks to dedicate themselves to service and volunteerism. Pool of $500,000 available for these Grants Grant applications available June 15 th and must be submitted no later than August 31 st. Require a great deal of detail, don’t forget to stress Elk involvement.

Impact Grant continued Grants may be for a project that can be multi-year. May be approved for three years or in special cases they may be four years. Grant will require submission and approval each year. Progress reports will be required. May involve others, individuals or organizations, but MUST be Elk led and the participation of Lodge members will be an important factor in approval.

Promise Grant Activities for Youth Promise Grants of up to $2500 (up from $2000) offer Lodges a chance to be a positive influence in their communities by holding an event that builds the character and competence of local youth. Will be awarded to the first 500 Lodges that submit an acceptable application, so early submission is very, very important.

Promise Grant continued Not a Promise Grant project Great Promise Grant project Scholarship presentation night Partner with youth to organize a service project Distribute drug awareness supplies Hold an after-prom party at the Lodge Sports team sponsorship Start an intramural sports league for teens Holiday party for children of Elks Holiday party for foster children, or youth in need Dictionary project A reading fair, or youth book club Donation to the Boys & Girls Club Organize a field trip for Boys & Girls Club youth Poster/Essay contest Partner with students to hold quarterly art fairs

Beacon Grant Ongoing Activities ENF is looking for 5 things. New: Ideally, Lodges will use their Beacon Grant for the same successful, ongoing project each year. If your Lodge received a Beacon Grant previously, it should use a grant to build upon that project. If your Lodge did not receive a Beacon Grant in a previous year, it must use the Beacon Grant to start a new charitable project. Ongoing: Something the Lodge is committed to—for example, monthly dinners at a soup kitchen, or an annual Veterans Stand Down activity. Beacon Grants can't be split between two projects.

Beacon Grant continued Elks-led: Elks must be involved, and the project should be something identifiable as an Elks project. Charitable: Grants must be focused on helping those in need, and addressing local issues. The project cannot benefit only the Lodge or Lodge members.

Beacon Grant continued Project: Beacon Grants cannot be used for donations of funds and supplies. Elks should be actively serving the community. If people see Elks doing good things, they'll be inspired to join! EVERY LODGE IS ENTITLED TO A BEACON GRANT

Gratitude Grant Meet local needs Gratitude Grants are available to EVERY Lodge that meets the GER’s ENF Goal. The application will appear on CLEMS when your Lodge qualifies. Gratitude Grants can be used to support local, charitable activities. Lodges use Gratitude Grants to do things like buy supplies for a homeless shelter, partner with D.A.R.E. to hold drug awareness programs in schools, or hold recreational events for people with disabilities. With approval they can be combined with Beacon Grants.

Gratitude Grant continued Gratitude Grants are for up to $2000. A Bonus is available!! If your Lodge had 15% or greater participation by members donating to ENF during the 2014/2015 year, you will be eligible for an additional $500 on your Gratitude Grant.

Gratitude Grant continued Good for ThemBetter for You Donation to Food Bank Have a food drive, and serve a meal to families in need Donation to six youth groups Hold monthly drug-free youth activities Donation to restore city building Partner with students to hold a community clean- up day Donation to Veterans group Volunteer at a Stand Down, or reach out to veterans in need Purchase equipment for Fire Dept. and Police Dept. Partner with both groups on a Community Safety day Here's a look at projects Lodges have applied for, and ways to make that project more active.

Lodge Assistance Grant Harnessing Local Support Gather local support for your Lodge's charitable projects! Lodge Assistance Grants allow Lodges to secure donations from foundations or corporations, not individuals, for specific Lodge charitable projects through restricted (501c3 qualified) monetary donations to the ENF. With this opportunity, the Foundation extends the benefits of our charitable status to both the foundation or corporation, and the Lodge. Coordinated with ENF prior to finalizing commitment with donor to insure Grant meets all requirements of both the ENF and the IRS.

This year there will be 180 (increase of 40) Freedom Grants of up to $2000. Funded by ENF but awarded by Elks National Veterans Service Commission. Applications will be on CLEMS. Grant applications must be submitted between August 1 st and August 31 st. Applications will be evaluated and winners will be awarded in Sept. or Oct. Freedom Grant For Veterans Projects

When you are awarded a Grant You will receive an approval letter, a final report form and a check for the approved amount. Final Report Forms: After the grant has been used, mail in the Final Report Form, along with all grant-related receipts and. digital photos Lodges that do not complete this required form will not be eligible for any ENF grants the following year.

Questions.