06/18/2026
Elks give out scholarships more than every other organization except the US government.
Last month, 20 of the country’s brightest young minds visited Chicago for the 2026 Most Valuable Student Leadership Weekend. These high school seniors volunteered at a local organization, participated in leadership programming, visited the Elks National Memorial and Headquarters, and more, but it was just the start of their journey: Each of the Top 20 scholars will receive a $30,000 scholarship from the ENF to pursue their academic dreams.
“One of the most lasting images in my mind is the rotunda at the Elks National Memorial,” says Elijah Borjon, a Top 20 MVS scholar sponsored by Petaluma, Calif., Lodge No. 901. “Standing there, I felt the weight of the organization behind the award. The Elks were not just a logo on a form. They are people, buildings, traditions, volunteers, stories, and generations of members who decided that supporting young people was worth their time and money.”
Read the full recap of the weekend at https://www.elks.org/ENF/news.cfm?StoryID=150607
