Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

Founded in 1868 by New York actor Charles Vivian, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has cultivated nearly one million members in its 149 years, making the Elks one of the leading fraternal orders in the United States. In 1868, the Jolly Corks initially created a fraternal community to bypass tavern laws. After one of the founding members passed away, the Jolly Corks revolutionized their club, focusing on charitable roles just as much as sociability. With this shift in morale, the Jolly Corks agreed to change their name to a readily identifiable creature indigenous to America. With that in mind, the Jolly Corks chose the Elk, with 8 votes over the Buffalo, which had 7. Over the next 149 years, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks expanded across the United States and former territories, the Philippines and the Panama Canal, creating 2,000 local lodges. Elks are providing charitable services that help build stronger communities, such as providing college scholarshi...