Good works: scholarships, veterans and charity
A short list of published Elks programs and announcements. Each item links to where it was published and shows its date. We do not list events we could not find a published source for.
- 2027 Most Valuable Student scholarship: apply by November 12, 2026
The Elks National Foundation's Most Valuable Student contest is open to U.S. high school seniors, whether or not they are related to an Elk. The page lists 500 four-year awards: 20 of $30,000 and 480 of $4,000. Deadline 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Source: elks.org - Elks award nearly $5 million in college scholarships
The Elks National Foundation awarded more than $4.9 million in scholarships to 900 high school seniors. Out of more than 23,000 Most Valuable Student applicants, the Top 20 received $30,000 scholarships and 480 runners-up received $4,000. Source: Elks National Foundation via PR Newswire - 400 new Legacy Awards scholars
The $6,000 Legacy Awards scholarship is for children and grandchildren of Elks members. The new class of 400 scholars will serve with an Elks lodge three times during the four years they receive the scholarship. Source: Elks National Foundation via PR Newswire - 2027 Legacy Awards: deadline February 1, 2027
Children or grandchildren of a living Elk who joined on or before April 1, 2024 can apply online. The deadline is February 1, 2027 at 11:59 a.m. Pacific Time, and the standardized test requirement is waived for 2027. Source: elks.org - Freedom Grants: $1,000 for 1,000 lodges' veterans projects
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission will award $1,000 Freedom Grants to 1,000 lodges for projects serving veterans, military members and their families in employment, housing, health, education or military family support. Source: Elks National Veterans Service Commission (PDF) - Focus Grants against veteran homelessness
Lodges in and around 13 cities with the most homeless veterans could apply for Elks-led Focus Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 to prevent or end veteran homelessness. Source: Elks National Veterans Service Commission (PDF) - Larry Nelson named 2026 National Veterans Service Volunteer of the Year
The Elks honored Larry Nelson, the Elks Voluntary Service Representative at the Long Beach VA, for more than 40 years of service to fellow veterans and more than 15,800 volunteer hours at the VA. Source: elks.org News From the Front