Doing Good: The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks

Origins

In 1867, New York City “blue laws” required the closure of theaters, pubs, and similar establishments on Sundays. That led a group of local thespians to meet on Sundays “for their own amusement.” The members of the group called themselves the Jolly Corks, and contributed funds to keep a well stocked kitchen (and more to the point, bar) for their meetings. Later that year one of their members died, leaving their family impoverished, and the group came to their aid. This led them to realize that in addition to meeting for enjoyment and good company, they wanted  to use their combined energies to assist those in need.

And so, in a bold act of rebranding,  on Feb. 16, 1868, the Jolly Corks became the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The Elks Today

Today, there are some 750,000 members of the BPOE who meet in some 2,000 lodges across the United States, with a headquarters in Chicago. Membership is open to US citizens aged 21 or older who are willing to state that they meet certain criteria required of a 19th-century patriot—that they 1) are of “good character;” 2) are willing to pledge allegiance to the flag; 3) believe in God, and 4) are not currently working to overthrow the government of the United States.

The Elks started out as a white male-only society, and its history in the twentieth century reflects that of the nation, marked by incremental steps and gradual progress to become more inclusive to women, people of color and adherents to non-christian beliefs.

 The Elks are designated by the IRS as a 501(c)8 fraternal beneficiary society which provides benefits to members.  And wow, what benefits.

Most Elk lodges include a members (and guests)-only restaurant and bar. And sometimes a fitness room and swimming pool and several outdoor barbecues. And RV hookups for visiting out-of-town Elks and their families. The original organizing impulse to meet in fellowship and to keep a well stocked larder remains central to the group’s identity. 

But so, too, does the call to serve the community. The Elks National Foundation is the charitable arm of the organization,  designated by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The mission of the Elks National Foundation is to “help Elks build stronger communities.”

Elk Lodges participate in national and state charitable programs as well as local projects, focusing their benevolence and protection on veterans and their families, and children in general. 

The Elks' commitment to veterans is strongly stated: "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." Members volunteer and donate to provide services to veterans and their families, especially those in need. This includes grants, rehabilitation, adaptive sports programs, and therapy support. The Welcome Home initiative is focused on veterans experiencing homelessness.

The Elks National Foundation awards more than $3 million annually to hundreds of outstanding, service-minded high school seniors through the Elks Scholar program, with an emphasis on service. In addition to the financial support, scholars are also “adopted” by their sponsoring lodges and participate in lodge volunteer service projects. 

The Elks are big into basketball and sponsor the national Hoop Shoot free throw contest, which has “been unleashing grit for more than 50 years—long before researchers and experts concluded that grit is so important for our children.” As part of this nationwide contest, the organization sponsors the Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award every year, which is awarded to boys and girls high school basketball coaches who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of student athletes.

The Drug Awareness Program is another focus on youth development, featuring an information resource center used by the “largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States.”

The Old Ways Endure

We end with a poignant toast from the Elks' origins at the end of the 19th century, perhaps in memory of the original Jolly Cork who passed away and led the remaining to take up the cause of benevolence and protection. It is recited with raised glasses in Elks Lodges to this day.

The Eleven O'Clock Toast

Now is the hour when Elkdom's tower
is darkened by the shroud of night,
And father time on his silver chime
Tolls off each moment's flight.

 In Cloistered halls each Elk recalls
His Brothers where'er they be,
And traces their faces to well-known places
In the annals of memory.

 Whether they stand on a foreign land
Or lie in an earthen bed,
Whether they be on the boundless sea
With the breakers of death ahead.

Whate'er their plight on this eerie night
Whate'er their fate may be,
Where ever they are be it near or far
They are thinking of you and me.

 So drink from the fountain of fellowship
To the Brother who clasped your hand,
And wrote your worth in the rock of earth
And your faults upon the sand.

TO OUR ABSENT BROTHERS!

 Learn More:

• The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the USA
• Elks National Foundation
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Report: The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the USA
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Report: Elks National Foundation