EAGLES CHARITIES
The F.O.E. Charity Foundation
The F.O.E. Charity Foundation was organized to combine the many health care related funds, children’s charity funds and undesignated donations received by the Eagles each year in order to streamline administrative expenses and make giving easier. Aeries/Auxiliaries wishing to contribute to multiple charities may do so via one check to help make giving easier.
FOE Heart Fund
Max Baer, a former heavyweight boxing champion, was an active member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles held in high regard by fellow members for his big heart and colorful sense of humor. When Baer died due to a heart attack in 1959, the Eagles created a Heart Fund as a tribute to his memory, dedicated to funding research and educating citizens about proper prevention methods.
Since 1959, Eagles have donated millions of dollars to universities, medical centers and hospitals across the United States and Canada through the Max Baer Heart Fund. Local Aeries and Auxiliaries often sponsor free public CPR classes, blood pressure checks and blood sugar screenings administered by licensed instructors to help raise community awareness.
FOE Diabetes Fund
Robert W. Hansen, the fund’s namesake, was a two time Grand Worthy President of the Eagles and was known for his career as a Justice of the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Hansen was heavily involved in the organization and served twice as Editor of Eagle Publications.
In 1978, the Robert W. Hansen Diabetes Fund was added under the umbrella of the Heart Fund after studies further showed the correlation between diabetes and heart-related illnesses.
As time went on, diabetes swelled into an American epidemic with a tremendous effect on various aspects of human health, causing the Diabetes Fund to grow into a full-fledged charity fund of the F.O.E.
FOE Cancer Fund
Founded in 1959, the Eagles’ Cancer Fund has spent more than a half century funding various cancer research and patient care programs.
With grants provided by the Eagles, organizations across the United States and Canada have been provided the funds to teach methods for cancer prevention, assist citizens currently battling the disease and develop new tools and technology which can be used to help bring an end to the suffering of millions.
Art Ehrmann served as the fund’s first International Director and spent 25 years as the editor of Eagle Magazine. After his death due to cancer, the organization honored his hard work and dedication to the Eagles by renaming the Cancer Fund in Ehrmann’s honor.
FOE Kidney Fund
The D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund was established at the 1978 Fraternal Order of Eagles International Convention in Spokane, Washington to raise funds for grants to universities, hospitals and other institutions involved in kidney research and related projects.
Through the years, millions of dollars have been granted to various hospitals and medical centers for research programs through the D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund.
Dunlap, a Past Grand Worthy President, fought resiliently through dialysis treatments to overcome a serious kidney ailment and was chosen to be the namesake for the Fund by his peers in honor of his fight.
FOE Children's Fund
In 1966, the Eagles began a Children’s Fund for Aeries & Auxiliaries to provide grants to organizations across the United States and Canada dedicated to aiding and educating youth.
Each year, children’s hospitals, child abuse prevention organizations and countless other groups dedicated to improving the lives of our youth change the lives of millions with the help of The Fraternal Order of Eagles. We are People Helping People and through the Children’s Fund, we work to ensure the spirit of our organization lives on for future generations.
For his countless years of service to The Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Eagles’ Children’s Fund was named in honor of legendary entertainer Jimmy Durante in 1966. The man who did it all “For Da Kids” was a staple at F.O.E. gatherings and performed at 14 consecutive International Conventions free of charge until his death in 1980. His kind, gentle and hilarious demeanor inspired members to give back and make a difference in the lives of children everywhere.
In addition to the general Children’s Fund, the F.O.E. Charity Foundation also features funds dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and building AIDS awareness.
FOE Spinal Cord Injury Fund
The Lew Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund was created in 2001 at the Eagles’ International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, to serve as an outlet for Aeries & Auxiliaries to issue grants to groups aiding citizens crippled by spinal cord injuries.
The fund assists organizations across the United States and Canada with money for research, technology development and patient care in an effort to improve the quality of life for the millions of people living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families.
Lew Reed, a Past Grand Worthy President of the F.O.E., was a longtime charity fund director and served as a full time employee of the Grand Aerie following his year as President in 1975 until his retirement in 1998.
FOE Alzheimer's Fund / Parkinson's Fund
The Eagles’ history of raising funds for Alzheimer’s related research and care began in 1985 when the Board of Grand Trustees approved the use of Golden Eagle funds to help find a cure for the disease.
Committed to caring for our senior citizens, the organization recognized the need to support research for what was then, and still is, an ever growing epidemic. Due to the increased demand from membership for grants supporting Alzheimer’s research over the years, a separate fund was created in the name of Maynard “Blackie” Floyd, a Past Grand Worthy President of the F.O.E., who served many years as an International Charity Director.
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Much like the Alzheimer’s Fund, involvement with Parkinson’s began through Golden Eagle and grew to become its own fund, dedicated to the research and prevention of Parkinson’s Disease. The two funds often work in tandem as members dedicate their fundraising efforts to the prevention of both diseases.
FOE Golden Eagle Fund
Established after a unanimous vote during the 1971 International Convention, the Golden Eagle Fund was created with a promise to provide assistance for programs designed to improve the lives of senior citizens everywhere.
Building on the organization’s dedication to making Aeries a safe and welcoming home for senior citizens, the Eagles set out to establish a fund specifically for providing grants that further the care of our elderly and help establish new tools and ideas to make their lives easier.
FOE Disaster Relief Fund
The Disaster Relief Fund began in 2007 as a first response program for national disaster situations in Canada and the United States.
Trailers owned and operated by individual Aeries across the jurisdiction are equipped with basic emergency needs — water, first aid supplies, food, etc. – and dispatched to areas in need to assist in disaster recovery.
Supported by donations made to the Disaster Relief Fund, trailers are filled and operated through the volunteer efforts of our members. Since its inception, trailers have provided aid to citizens in Alabama, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and more, in the wake of natural disasters.
Eagles can support the fund by holding fundraisers, volunteering their time to assist Aeries who own relief trailers, assisting other organizations as a representative of the F.O.E. or by encouraging friends and family to join in the efforts.
