The Great Falls Elks
With over a century of Brotherhood & Benevolence, Great Falls Elks Lodge 214 is more than just a meeting place; it’s a key part of our community’s history. Founded in 1893, our building has stood since 1912, welcoming generations of locals. Famous figures like city founder Paris Gibson and cowboy artist C.M. Russell have walked through our doors, leaving their mark on our culture and community.
Today, we continue that legacy by empowering the next generation through scholarships, community grants, and youth activities. Our commitment to Community, Friendship, and Charity guides us as we support local initiatives that make a difference. While we honor our rich history, we’re all about fostering connections and making our community an even better place to live!
Scholarships
The Elks Lodge offers various scholarship opportunities, primarily aimed at high school seniors intending to pursue higher education.
Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors based on academic achievement, leadership, and financial need. It typically offers multiple awards, ranging from local scholarships to national scholarships with significant funding.
Legacy Awards: These scholarships are available for children and grandchildren of Elks members. They are awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate strong academic performance and community involvement.
Emergency Educational Grants: These are available for college students who are children of Elks members and are experiencing financial hardship.
Vocational Scholarships: Some local lodges may offer scholarships specifically for vocational training or community college programs
Grants
The Elks Lodge provides Community Investment Grants to enhance community life while focusing on various initiatives that promote well-being and support local organizations.
Beacon Grant – Supports projects that help address local community needs and improve lives.
Spotlight Grant – Focuses on initiatives that enhance the visibility and success of local programs.
Gratitude Grant – Provides funding for initiatives that express appreciation and recognition within the community.
Impact Grant – Aims at funding projects that create significant positive changes in the community.
Freedom Grant – Supports initiatives that benefit veterans and promote freedom-related programs.
Youth Activities
The Elks Lodge promotes various Youth Activities designed to foster development, education, and community engagement among young people. These activities aim to engage youth, develop their skills, and instill values that contribute to a strong and healthy community.
Elks Hoop Shoot – A free throw competition for children that promotes sportsmanship and physical fitness.
Drug Awareness Program – Educates youth about the dangers of drug use and promotes healthy lifestyle choices.
Essay Contests – Encourages students to express their thoughts and creativity through writing, often with themes related to community values.
High School Video Projects – Supports high school students in creating videos that address social issues or promote community initiatives.
Lodge Officers
A typical Elks Lodge is led by the Exalted Ruler, the lodge’s president and chief executive, supported by the three Knights: Leading, Loyal, and Lecturing, who assist in leadership and uphold the core virtues of community, friendship, and charity.
The Secretary manages records, membership, and correspondence, while the Treasurer oversees finances and reporting. The Esquire assists the Exalted Ruler and conducts ceremonies, the Chaplain offers invocations and memorials, and the Inner Guard and Tiler handle door duties, ritual security, and regalia, and the Board of Trustees safeguards assets and budgets.
Exalted Ruler - Rick Ulstad
Esteemed Leading Knight - Kirk Peterson
Esteemed Loyal Knight - Tim Steele
Esteemed Lecturing Knight - Sherman Banks
Secretary - Denise Riggin
Treasurer - Tara Estes
Esquire - Collette Ovrom
Chaplin - Ben Jaques
Tiler -
Inner Guard -
Three Year Trustee - Dave Beaudin
Two Year Trustee - Tyson Hudock
One Year Trustee - Mark Pepin
Our Most Famous Member
Initiated in 1908, Charles Marion Russell called his acceptance into the Order “one of his most cherished moments” and proudly wore his Elks pin for the rest of his life. When the new lodge opened in 1912, Russell gifted the fraternity his masterpiece, ” The Exalted Ruler,” a symbolic oil painting of a bull elk surveying his herd. In 1995, the Lodge worked with the community to ensure this masterpiece stayed in Great Falls, transferring it to the C.M. Russell Museum where it remains a centerpiece of Western art.