About / Mission
The Michigan Elks Charitable Grant Fund Scholarship, a trademarked and registered 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to supporting special needs students in their pursuit of higher education. This scholarship serves as the next step for students to transition into accredited colleges, universities, licensed trade schools, or vocational programs after high school. Special needs is defined by I.D.E.A. Special Education law, a 504 accommodation plan, or as approved by the Gold Key Commissioners.
Fast Facts
This year The Michigan Elks Charitable Grant Fund will be awarding $80,000 in scholarships to special needs young adults to further their education and become active members of todays society!
Apply for Gold Key Grant
The Michigan Elks Association Charitable Grant Fund Scholarship Commission is incorporated in the State of Michigan as a non-profit corporation.
Each year, the scholarship application window for new applicants begins on October 1st and closes on December 1st of that year.
Scholarship reapplications open each year on November 1st and close December 1.
Gold Key Commissioners
Name: Chuck Pankey-Fanning - Secretary
Cell: 248.854.1626
E-mail: goldkeyme@mielks.org
Location: Ferndale Lodge #1588
Term Ends: May 2030
Name: Eric Patmythes - Chaplain
Cell: 618-208-0518
E-mail: goldkeyup@mielks.org
Location: Escanaba Lodge #354
Term Ends: May 2026
Name: Jay Erickson - Treasurer / (Melissa)
Home: 313.805.3794
Cell: 810.599.6856
E-mail: goldkeyse@mielks.org
Location: Plymouth/Ann Arbor #325
Term Ends: May 2027
Name: Dave Scott - Sgt at Arms / (LuAnn)
Cell: 269.340.2799
E-mail: goldkeysw@mielks.org
Location: Dowagiac Lodge #889
Term Ends: May 2028
Name: Ami Edmonds - Vice Chairman / (T.J.)
Cell: 989-820-1299
E-mail: goldkeyne@mielks.org
Location: Tawas Area Lodge #2525
Term Ends: May 2029
Name: Joan Rowland - Chairman / (Jim)
Cell: 231.632.7711
E-mail: goldkeynw@mielks.org
Location: Traverse City Lodge #323
Term Ends: May 2025
Executive Director:
Geno Grabinski / (Jani)
Plymouth-Ann Arbor Lodge #325
C: 248.417.6362
E: goldkey@mielks.org
Co-Executive Director
Michael HD Bowman
Tawas Area Lodge #2525
C: 810-560-1249
E: sp@mielks.org
PSP Advisor:
Stan Chubinski / Cheryl
Battle Creek Lodge #131
C: 269-420-4516
E: chubinskipsp@mielks.org
Chairman
Ami Edmonds (T.J.)
Cell: 989-820-1299
E-mail: goldkeyne@mielks.org
Tawas Area Lodge #2525
Term Ends: May 2029
Vice Chairman
Chuck Pankey-Fanning
Cell: 248.854.1626
E-mail: goldkeyme@mielks.org
Ferndale Lodge #1588
Term Ends: May 2030
Secretary
Victoria Koteskey
Cell: 231.675.8468
E-mail: goldkeynw@mielks.org
Charlevoix Lodge #2856
Term Ends: May 2031
Treasurer
Jay Erickson (Melissa)
Home: 313.805.3794
Cell: 810.599.6856
E-mail: goldkeyse@mielks.org
Plymouth/Ann Arbor #325
Term Ends: May 2027
Sgt at Arms
Kristina Eaton
Cell: 989.751.1038
E-mail: goldkeyup@mielks.org
Marquette #450
Term Ends: May 2026
Chaplain
Dave Scott (LuAnn)
Cell: 269.340.2799
E-mail: goldkeysw@mielks.org
Dowagiac Lodge #889
Term Ends: May 2028
| District | Date | Golf Course |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Franz Brenner | 4/19/25 | Wesburn Golf Course |
| Southwest | 5/31/25 | Dowagiac Elks Golf Course |
| Upper Peninsula | 07/11/25 | Genz Homestead Golf Course |
| Metro | 8/9/25 | Port Huron Elks Lodge |
| Northwest | 9/13/25 | Hastings Legacy Golf Course |
| Northeast | 3/21/26 | Reverse Raffle (Tawas Area Lodge #2525) |
2024 Winners
Kaiden Tachick - UP
Kassie Munday - UP
Layal Engel - UP
Vance Arent - Southwest
Lane Pearson - Southeast
Noah Wauldron - Southeast
Trevor Hendrick - Southeast
Robert George - Metro
Brady Shell - Northeast
Wyatt Viacius – Northwest
Renewals for 2024
Laura Bracket – UP
Kylie Johnson – UP
Olivia Accord – UP
Nora Clement – UP
Aria Meyers – UP
Lauren Mahoney – Northwest
Briana Chaffee – Northwest
Kaleb Herrera – Northwest
Natalie Sika – Northeast
Brian Jablonski – Metro
Amelia Richter – Metro
Shelby Axline – Southwest
Jami Worden – Southwest
Grace Antos – Southwest
Connor Sarles – Southeast
Cooper Eggleston – Southeast
Laura Shields – UP
Dakota Smith – Southeast
Jaime Gomez – Southeast
Karar Aljle – Southeast
Allison Lauri – Southwest
Mikayla Dougherty – Northeast
Theressa Barrett – Northeast
Alyssa Masiewicz – Northwest
Dalton Keener - Metro
Wesley Condie, Northeast
Paige Heron, Northeast
Jared Mills, Northwest
Cameron Vasher, Southeast
Dylan Neelis, Southwest
Robbie Ivey, UP
Carlson Zackary, UP
Nickolas Haferon, UP