On the National Level, over the past 135 years the Elks have distributed over $3 billion in cash, goods and services to the nations youth, its veterans, the disadvantaged and handicapped and in support of patriotic and civic programs. The Elks National Foundation’s was established in 1928 and is an endowment fund that has grown to over $320 million, only income from the fund is expended. The Elks National Foundation mission is "helping Elks build stronger communities." We do this by providing tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning, by providing more scholarships than any organization besides the U.S. Government. For our veterans the Elks’ pledge that, "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them". We do this locally and nationally; the Elks started the very first Veterans Hospital.