Fraternal Order of Eagles Charity Foundation and Circle of Life
The Charity Foundation was organized to combine the many health care related funds, children’s charity funds and
general undesignated donations in order to streamline administrative expenses and make giving easier. Contributions
for all the Charity Foundation funds can be made via a single check for better administrative management for local
aeries and auxiliaries.
The Circle of Life program offers an opportunity for every member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles to directly participate in and support "People Helping People" programs.
The Circle of Life program was added in 2005 to answer the need of many members who fully believe in the Eagles, but may not have the opportunity to participate in the many activities held to raise funds for charity. Each member is eligible to be a Circle of Life patron by contributing a donation directly to the Charity Foundation. The member will then receive a sticker to attach to their dues receipt designating the member as a Circle of Life patron. States and provinces receive credit for the individual contributions towards their annual contributions. The Circle of Life money proceeds as well as undesignated contributions will be used to fund the humanitarian programs for which the Fraternal Order of Eagles is so well known.
Each year at the Grand Aerie International Convention, Regional Conferences and special events such as the institution of new aeries and auxiliaries, grants will be made to local communities. These grants are funded by the money provided from local aeries and auxiliaries. Once these grants are funded, the remaining money is available to those states/provinces for grants. The goal of the Circle of Life and undesignated donations is to fund 100 percent of the Grand Aerie International Convention, Regional Convention and new institution grants. Once this goal is reached, 100 percent of funds contributed by the states/provinces will be available to the states and provinces as grants.
Max Baer Heart Fund
Max Baer was a former heavyweight boxing champion and an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Known for his big heart and colorful sense of humor, Max was well loved by his fellow Eagles. When Max died of
a heart attack in 1959, the Eagles created a charity fund as a tribute to his memory and as a means of combating
the disease that killed him.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 71 million Americans are affected with heart disease.
The Max Baer Heart Fund’s primary purpose is to aid in heart research and education. Since the fund started in
1959, millions of dollars have been donated to universities, medical centers and hospitals across the United States
and Canada for heart research and education.
Early diagnosis of heart disease is very important and can determine quality of life. Local aerie and auxiliaries sponsor free public CPR classes, blood pressure checks and blood sugar screenings, administered by licensed instructors.
After sponsoring a CPR class, the local aerie/auxiliary can apply to give a grant to their local emergency response
team to purchase life saving equipment and technology.
Robert W. Hansen Diabetes Fund
There are approximately 20.8 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, there are another 6.2 million that are unaware they have the disease.
The Robert W. Hansen Diabetes fund, named for the former two-time Grand Worthy President, was incorporated into the Max Baer Heart Fund in 1978 when research confirmed that diabetes is associated with heart problems. The goal of this fund was and still is, finding a cure for this long time killer.
One hundred percent of the money raised is spent on research, equipment, education,
and CPR or drug awareness.
Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund
Art Ehrmann served as the first director of the Eagle's Cancer Fund, founded in November 1959, and as editor of
Eagle Publications for 25 years. Art died of cancer and in his memory the Eagle’s Cancer Fund was renamed the
Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund.
Since the fund's inception, the Fraternal Order of Eagles have donated more than $50 million to cancer research.
Since the fund began in 1959, millions of dollars have been granted to various institutions for research and related projects. Although the cancer death rate continues to decline, continual research is essential. The National Cancer Institute reported in 2006 that 564,830 Americans were expected to die of cancer — more than 1,500 per day. In addition to research, early cancer detection and education are areas that the charitable Eagle dollars have a direct impact.
D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund
The D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund was established at the 1978 Fraternal Order of Eagles International Convention in Spokane, Washington. Its purpose is to raise funds for grants to universities, hospitals and other institutions involved in kidney research and related projects. All money raised goes directly for research. Through the years, millions of dollars have been raised for the D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund. Millions have also been granted to various hospitals and medical centers for research programs.
Jimmy Durante Children's Fund
Money raised through the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund and Child Abuse Fund are one of the Eagle's greatest achievements.
The fund was named in honor of Jimmy Durante, one of the Eagle's most beloved human beings and an active life-member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Jimmy entertained without charge at fourteen consecutive Grand Aerie International Conventions and at many other Eagle gatherings until his death in 1980. Because of Jimmy's gentle and kind manner, the children's fund was named after him in 1966.
All money raised for the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund or Child Abuse Fund is returned to that state or province in the form of grants to children-helping organizations of the state's choosing. The selection of the recipients is up to the State Aerie President, with the approval of the State Executive Board utilizing the money available in the state's account.
Children's Aids Awareness and Medical Research
Nearly 10,000 children under age 13 are currently living with HIV in North America.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles will pursue a mission to increase the amount of available information for at risk
families and educate young people as to the dangers of the AIDS virus. Donations will also be set aside for medical
research for this terrible disease.
Lew Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund
The Grand Aerie charity benefiting those crippled by spinal cord injuries is named in honor of Past Grand
Worthy President Lewis Reed.
Automobile accidents are the greatest cause of spinal cord injuries.
The Lew Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund is dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of
Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families.
This fund has partnered with the National Spinal Cord Injury Association to provide funds for research, and to develop and evaluate new ways of assisting middle-aged and older persons living with the long-term effects of SCI/D.
Golden Eagle, Alzheimer and Parkinson Funds
In the early 1970s the Eagles took to heart the statistics of the fast-growing ranks of the elderly, thus the
National Golden Eagle Fund was founded. The fund quickly became the only senior-oriented fundraising program.
Since that time, donations to the National Golden Eagle Fund have provided $1,000 grants to charitable organizations
for community-oriented programs primarily serving the aged.
Golden Age Grants
Aeries and auxiliaries can request Golden Age Grants for those organizations benefiting the community's aged.
By 2006, more than 2,097 grants have been made. (Does not include larger grants made at Grand Aerie International
Conventions). The National Golden Eagle Fund is approaching $4 million in donations received.
Alzheimer and Parkinson Funds
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities.
In addition to funds raised by the aeries and auxiliaries for Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson’s Disease,
the Charity Foundation provides grants for research each year to institutions and hospitals for Alzheimer
and Parkinson research projects.
Disaster Relief Fund
Grand Worthy President John Potter's special project for the 2007-2008 year is to develop and fund a first response program for national disaster situations in Canada and the United States. His program, the Disaster Relief Fund, was recognized at the November 2007 Board of Grand Trustees meeting as an official charity of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. This fund is the first in nearly 30 years to be recognized as a new FOE public charity.
Fraternal Order of Eagles Disaster Relief Fund Chairmen
| Name |
Region |
Phone |
E-mail |
| A. Sarge Sargent (Director) |
International |
352-360-2326 |
flstateaerie@embarqmail.com |
| Floyd Monagham |
Northwest |
250-497-5960 |
flofloyd@telus.net |
| Tom McGrath |
Northeast |
802-877-2559 |
mcgrathvt@aol.com |
| Greg Colburn |
Southwest |
408-891-4222 |
gregorycolburn@yahoo.com |
| Larry Lynn |
Central |
309-837-6148 |
Lwlynn36@yahoo.com |