Community Charity

Our lodges are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up. We invest in our communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.

Our Work in Montana Matters

Across Montana our members work as a team to sponsor programs that build stronger communities through scholarships, medical research, recreational opportunities, and lots more.

Youth Services

Montana Elks are committed to assisting our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. They are our nation’s most valuable asset. They represent the future of our great nation.

Veteran's Services

Montana’s veterans and military members deserve our enduring gratitude for thier service. We create veteran’s programs with a special focus on service to those in need.

Community Investments

The CIP Program invests in MSEA communities through Lodge grants that help Elks meet local needs. They provide much needed improvements to each Montana community we serve.

Our Work in Montana Matters

We bring a wide variety of programs, funding, and activities to Montana Communities. Our goal is to make an impact!

Supporting Youth

The Elks Youth Activity Committee sponsors various programs from local lodges to more propular programs at national level.

Scholarships – Every year Elks National Foundation gives out $3.65 million in college scholarships for high school seniors. Learn More

Hoop Shoot™ – For Students all across Montana benefit from the Hoop Shoot™ program. Learn More.

Drug Awareness – We believe in providing accurate information regarding Drug Awareness. Learn More

Americanism Essay Contest – A patriotic theme based writing contest for students 5th – 8th grade.

Soccer Shoot – This program is intended for toddlers to teenagers.

Dictionary Project – This effort has been bringing nearly 10 million dictionaries to schools and students.

Antlers – For young people ages 12-21.

Promise Grants – 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.

Supporting Veterans

“So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

The Elks National Veterans Service Commission takes that pledge one step further, and promises service to our nation’s veterans and military members, with a special focus on service to those in need.

Thousands of Elks volunteers give generously of their time, energy and resources to serve veterans and military to ensure that pledge is not an idle one.

Today, our volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month. Through our grants to Elks Lodges, we connect with veterans and military members in their communities, providing them with services where they live. We help veterans rehabilitate and thrive through adaptive sports programs and therapy kits. Our Welcome Home initiative is reaching out to some of our most vulnerable veterans: those who are experiencing homelessness.

Freedom Grant

Freedom Grants offer a unique opportunity to harness the Elks’ passion for serving veterans and military members and turn it into projects that offer tangible results. Learn More

Supporting Communities

The Community Investment Program (CIP) invests in MSEA communities through Lodge grants that help Elks meet local needs. They provide much needed improvements to each Montana community we serve.

Spotlight Grants – These grants are available to every Lodge to shine the light on COVID-19 relief, for there is no more pressing issue facing American communities than the response to the pandemic. Learn More

Beacon Grants – Every Lodge is eligible to apply for a Beacon Grant. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Join in, and help your Lodge become a beacon of hope to the community. Learn More

Gratitude Grants – An opportunity for Elks to think about how best to serve their community and make it stronger. Learn More

Impact Grants – Impact Grants are offered to Lodges working to make a significant and meaningful difference in the community through a charitable project. Learn More

Lodge Assistance Grants – Allow Lodges to secure donations from foundations or corporations for specific Lodge charitable projects through restricted monetary donations to the ENF.  Learn More

Applying for Elks Scholarships

Several types of grants are available to Montana Lodges, Members, and Communities. We offer a wide variety of funding options to meet a variety of charitable requests.

Vocational Scholarship

406-204-3054 Scholarship must be used towards a two year or less technical program culminating in an associate degree, diploma or certificate, but less than a baccalaureate program (Bachelor’s Degree).

(4) $1,000.00 awards are available each year.

Application deadline is March 1st of each year.

This program is open to any prospective applicant residing in the State of Montana and is a US Citizen planning to pursue an eligible vocational/technical (vo/tech) course and has a supplemental high school or preparatory school level certification – a high school diploma or equivalent is not required.

The program is open to male and female applicants who will be judged on an equal basis. While graduating high school seniors may apply into this program, it is not limited to high school students, in fact, is open to all prospective students who require training or retraining to compete in the workplace.

This Vocational Scholarship is for one year only, and may be renewed for one additional year, upon re-application to host Lodge.

This Scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board (if living on campus), fees, books and supplies at a Community College or Technical School. It may be used only for usual and required costs of applicants planned course of study and must be paid directly to the school they will be attending.

An eligible program is defined as a two year or less vocational/technical program culminating in a terminal Associates Degree, diploma or certificate, but less than a baccalaureate program (Bachelor’s Degree), whereby , after two years of study, a student may become gainfully employed in his/her chosen course of study.

The student must attend school full time. This Scholarship may not be used for part-time study, correspondence schools, or courses at or below high school level. The school must be in Montana and be accredited.

STUDENTS PLANNING TO TRANSFER TO A FOUR YEAR SCHOOL TO PURSUE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

For more information, please contact:

Dan Riddle
406-204-3054
dannyriddle406@yahoo.com

Montana Trust Fund: Sara E. Jenne Scholarship

The Montana State Elks Association, hereinafter referred to as The Sponsor, acting by and through its Trust Fund Committee, in 1977 established a scholarship program consisting of awards to some of the prior winners of the Elks “Most Valuable Student Contest” program and to some students attending Montana educational institutions. The recipients of these awards will be students who have completed their first year of education at a Montana University, College, Vocational Technology school or community college.

We seek to encourage and assist students to complete his/her education and/or vocational training. The awards will place less emphasis on attainment of high grades than do our regular scholarship programs, and more so on the basis of need, effort, activities and community involvement.

CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY

  1. Completion of one year of study a Montana university, college, vocational technology school or community college, with a cumulative grade point average [GPA] of at least 2.0 or “C”, if a letter grade is used, and an accumulation of at least 45 credits or 30 semester hours.
  2. Enrollment and attendance at one of the Montana educational institutions as outlined in Number One above.
  3. Have a bonafide and verifiable need for financial assistance.
  4. Be of good morals and character.
  5. Timely completion and submission of his/her application with supporting documents.

DISTRIBUTION OF APPLICATIONS AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

  1. To all winners from the previous year’s MSEA “Most Valuable Student” contest, who meet the requirements of attendance at a Montana educational institution as enumerated above under the heading “Conditions of Eligibility”.
  2. To the Financial Aid Officers or appropriate department of the various institutions of higher education within the State of Montana, who will inform first-year students of the availability of this scholarship program, and who will distribute the applications to those who qualify under the rules promulgated by the committee.
  3. Announcement of award winners will be made at the summer convention of the MSEA.

DISCLOSURE. CONDITIONS AND RESERVATIONS

  1. Applicants consent and authorize The Sponsor to retain, use and/or return applications.
  2. The Sponsor reserves the right to modify the awards, conditions and/or rules of this scholarship program as it may deem necessary.
  3. The Sponsor reserves the right to reject any or all of the applications if it feels it is necessary to do so and to make all final decisions concerning the same.
  4. The Sponsor assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the successful applicant’s attendance at Elks Conventions for the purpose of receiving his/her award, or for any other purpose.
  5. Actual payment of the awards will be dependent upon the recipient’s enrollment and attendance at a Montana university, college, vocational technology school or community college for a second year of study. The payments may be pro-rated in installments during the school year and shall be made through the various financial aid, registrar or other appropriate agency of the school selected by the recipient.
  6. Attendance at the same Montana school for the second year of study is not mandatory, and the award may be transferred to another Montana institute of higher education at the discretion of the recipient.
  7. Payments of awards may be delayed at the request of the recipient, if the delay is caused by illness, disability or any other cause. Award recipients are urged and encouraged to contact the Chairman of the Montana Elks Trust Fund Committee as soon as possible to explain any delay in attendance for his/her second year of education.

This Scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board (if living on campus), fees, books and supplies at a Community College or Technical School. It may be used only for usual and required costs of applicants planned course of study and must be paid directly to the school they will be attending.

The student must attend school full time. This Scholarship may not be used for part-time study, correspondence schools, or courses at or below high school level. The school must be in Montana and be accredited.

STUDENTS PLANNING TO TRANSFER TO A FOUR YEAR SCHOOL TO PURSUE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

Applications should be sent to:

Ryan Laqua
12906 County Road 350R
Sidney, MT59270
(406) 480-9052
rlaqua@midrivers.com

Application deadline is usually June 1, contact above person for full details.

Thank you for your interest in the Montana State Elks Association Sara Jenne Scholarship program.

Types of Elks National Foundation Grants Available

Elks National Foundation (ENF) Grants

BEACON GRANTS
For ongoing, Elks-led, charitable activities.
$2,000 grants available to every Lodge.

GRATITUDE GRANTS
For addressing local needs.
$2,000 grants available to Lodges that meet the GER’s per-member-giving goal.

PROMISE GRANTS
For youth activities.
$2,000 grants available to the first 500 Lodges that apply with a qualifying project.

IMPACT GRANTS
For large scale, Elks-run service projects.
Competitive grants of up to $10,000 for projects with significant Elk involvement and community presence.

LODGE ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For harnessing local support.
Enable local businesses to donate to a specific Lodge charitable project through a restricted monetary gift to the ENF.

Applying for Elks Scholarships

Several types of scholarships are available to aspiring students. From those sponsored by national Grand Lodge programs like Elks National Foundation to statewide Montana State Elks Association initiatives like the Elks Rehab Project, we offer a variety of scholarship options to meet a variety of requests. Apply today!

Want More Information on Elks Scholarships?

For information about Elks Scholarships, contact your local lodge or your school counselor.

Grow Your Herds

The success of the MSEA and Elks Grand Lodge mission depends on our efforts to increase our herds. Talk to your family, co-workers and friends today about joining the Elks!