People helping people is a statement that guides the charitable actions of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and has lead the Eagles to donate more than $100 million annually.  As part of the charitable philosophy, the Eagles give back 100 percent of the contributions received in the form of grants. All administrative costs are paid by the International Organization through membership dues.

Fraternal Order of Eagles Charity Foundation

The Charity Foundation was organized to combine the many health care related funds, children’s charity funds and general undesignated donations.

Circle of Life

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.

Max Baer Heart Fund

Max Baer was a former heavyweight boxing champion and an active member of the Fraternal Order of 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. 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.

Robert W. Hansen Diabetes Fund

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 is to find a cure for this disease.

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 began in 1959, $50 million has been granted to various institutions for research and related projects. 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.

Jimmy Durante Children’s Fund

The fund was named in honor of Jimmy Durante, 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 Prevention Fund is returned to that state or province in the form of grants to children-helping organizations of the state’s choosing.

Children’s AIDS Awareness and Medical Research

The Fraternal Order of Eagles is pursuing 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 are also set aside for medical research.

Lew Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund

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. 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.

Disaster Relief Fund

The Disaster Relief Fund was developed to fund a first response program for national disaster situations in Canada and the United States. 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 F.O.E. public charity.

Memorial Foundation

The Memorial Foundation supports children of members who die while serving their country or at work. All Eagle members and their families are automatically protected by this member benefit. With the Memorial Foundation, children of deceased members who die while serving their country or at work are able to attend college or vocational school with grants up to $30,000. They can also receive medical assistance including payments to physicians, dentists, orthodontists, and hospitals. The cost of eyeglasses, prescriptions, as well as medical and dental devices is also included. Aside from member support, the Memorial Foundation also provides educational benefits to graduates of Home on the Range in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota; High Sky Girls Ranch in Midland, Texas; and Bob Hope High School in Port Arthur, Texas.

Eagle Village

Eagle Village, located in Bradenton, Florida, is a senior community open to any member who has at least 15 years of continuous membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, with priority given to applicants with the most years of service and those of have made outstanding contributions to their local organizations. Eagle Village is a  complex, with 85 units and a library, recreation center and pool. Future plans for the Village includes building a 33 unit residential building with single bedroom and double bedroom options.

Grand Worthy President and Grand Madam President Special Charities

Each year the elected Grand Worthy President and Grand Madam President each choose a special project to receive fundraised dollars. Members host fundraisers throughout the year and present checks to either the Grand Worthy or Grand Madam President for their charity.