Scholarships

Committee Chair – Sue Sawyer – CoChair – Amber Spurlock

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

The scholarship committee organizes, evaluates, fundraises for and orchestrates the Garden Grove Elks Lodge scholarship program.  In 2024-2025, the committee was renewed.

To join the committee , click HERE.

Dollars For Scholars – Game Night – Nov. 2025

The second annual Dollars For Scholars – Game Night was a huge success. More than 100 guests attended to play all kinds of games to win tickets for some amazing basket raffles.

Kimberly Escobar & Maria Terrones were the basket queens and silent auction masters. We raised over $3,500 for student scholarships.

Many teachers and administrators attended to support a great cause.

Dollars for Scholars – Texas Hold ’em/Game Night Fundraiser – 2025

The first annual Texas Holdem’ tournament was held and prizes were given to the top five amassed poker chip winners and all individual game winning players received raffle tickets to place into gift baskets boxes for take home prizes. We had 42 AMAZING baskets for the attendees to put their raffle tickets in for the drawing. Games played: Dart Poker, Yahtzee, Left-Right-Center, Plinko, Jenga, Connect 4, Black Jack, Spinning Wheel and more. We also had a “selfie camera photo booth” that was super fun.

Dollars for Scholars Game Night

The first ever Dollars for Scholars Game Night was held on Nov. 9th, 2024. Raffle Baskets were awarded to attendees after playing many different games and winning tickets to put in the baskets.

2024-2025 Awards Ceremony

Sunday, March 30th: In our first year we awarded $3,000 to local high school students on their way to post secondary training.  Scholarships include most valuable student (MVS), CHEA vocational grant, CHEA students with disabilities, the Garden Grove Elks scholarships, and the National Legacy awards. Fun, fundraising activities Like the “Dollars for Scholars – Game Night” and “- Texas Holdem Tournament” organized by the committee throughout the year help fund this program.

We had a great turnout at our first Scholarship/Americanism/Youth Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 30th in the East Room at the lodge.

Elks Scholarships: A Legacy of Investing in America’s Youth

For more than 90 years, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) has been helping students across the United States achieve their academic dreams. The Elks’ commitment to youth and education is at the heart of the organization’s mission, and nowhere is that more evident than in its robust scholarship programs. With millions of dollars awarded annually, Elks scholarships have helped generations of students access higher education, build careers, and give back to their communities.

Humble Beginnings and a Bold Vision

The Elks began offering educational support as early as the 1930s, recognizing that access to college was one of the most effective ways to help young people succeed and contribute positively to society. In those early years, local lodges offered small scholarships to students in their communities—usually funded by member donations, raffles, and lodge events.

As the demand for higher education grew in the post-World War II era, so did the Elks’ efforts. In 1946, the Elks National Foundation (ENF)—the charitable arm of the BPOE—was established to fund national programs, including scholarships. The ENF has since become the driving force behind the Elks’ scholarship initiatives.

The Most Valuable Student Scholarship

The flagship of the Elks scholarship offerings is the Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship, which has been awarded annually since 1931. Open to high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, the MVS Scholarship is based on leadership, academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.

Each year, the ENF awards 500 MVS scholarships, with top national winners receiving up to $50,000 over four years. The application process is rigorous and competitive, with students advancing through local, district, and state judging before reaching the national level. In addition to financial support, national finalists are invited to a leadership weekend, where they meet fellow scholars, network with Elks leaders, and develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Legacy Awards

In addition to the MVS program, the Elks offer Legacy Awards, which are available to children and grandchildren of Elks members in good standing. These $4,000 scholarships (distributed as $1,000 annually over four years) honor family ties and recognize the commitment of Elks families to service and community.

Legacy Awards not only help maintain generational involvement in the Order, but also ensure that the values of the Elks—charity, fidelity, and patriotism—are passed down and upheld by the next generation.

Emergency Educational Grants

Another lesser-known but impactful program is the Emergency Educational Grant (EEG), which offers financial assistance to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks members. These grants are designed to help students who may be facing significant hardship pursue their education despite family tragedy or loss of income.

The EEG program reflects one of the core principles of the Elks: that no family in the order should be left without support in times of need. These grants can be renewed annually and have helped hundreds of students stay in school during challenging times.

Local Lodge and State-Level Scholarships

Beyond national scholarships, many local lodges and state Elks associations run their own scholarship programs. These awards vary in size and eligibility criteria, but all share the same goal: to support deserving students in their communities.

Local Elks members often take great pride in supporting neighborhood schools, attending award ceremonies, and mentoring scholarship recipients. These relationships foster community connection and remind students that they have a network of support behind them.

A Lasting Impact

Today, the Elks National Foundation awards over $4 million in scholarships each year, making it one of the largest private providers of college scholarships in the country. The program’s impact can be seen in the stories of doctors, teachers, engineers, public servants, and entrepreneurs who were once Elks scholars.

Many recipients go on to become Elks themselves, continuing the cycle of giving that helped them succeed. For the Elks, scholarships are not just financial aid—they are an investment in the future of the nation.

Continuing the Tradition

As the cost of college continues to rise, the Elks remain steadfast in their mission to ensure that no deserving student is left behind. Through national programs, local initiatives, and the generosity of members, the Elks are helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow—one scholarship at a time.