Quick charity verification for American Legion (EIN: 20211946)
Verdict: American Legion appears trustworthy
95/100Mission Score
$487KRevenue
$603KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent asset growth from $486,428 (2014) to $552,087 (2023).
Zero officer compensation reported across all filings, maximizing program funds.
Extremely low liabilities, consistently under $3,000 in recent years, indicating strong financial health.
Positive net income in most years, demonstrating sound financial management (e.g., 2023: $74,210 revenue vs. $70,565 expenses).
Extensive filing history (13 filings) provides strong transparency.
Spending Breakdown
How American Legion allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Legion
Is American Legion a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Legion (EIN: 20211946) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 95/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is American Legion a good charity to donate to?
American Legion has a Mission Score of 95/100. Revenue: $487K. Assets: $603K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Legion?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Legion is 20211946. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does American Legion spend its money?
American Legion allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Legion's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Legion's tax-exempt status using EIN 20211946 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The American Legion in Keene, NH, demonstrates consistent financial stability with assets growing from $486,428 in 2014 to $552,087 in 2023. The organization consistently operates with a positive net income, as seen in 2023 where revenue was $74,210 against expenses of $70,565, indicating sound financial management. Their liabilities remain very low, typically under $3,000, which is a strong indicator of fiscal health and minimal financial risk.
Spending efficiency appears to be a strength, with expenses generally tracking closely to revenue, suggesting that funds are being utilized for their programs without significant accumulation of unspent capital beyond asset growth. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings indicates a volunteer-driven leadership structure, which significantly reduces administrative overhead and maximizes funds available for mission-related activities. This practice also enhances transparency and trust.
Overall, the American Legion in Keene, NH, appears to be a financially healthy and efficiently run organization. Their consistent asset growth, low liabilities, and lack of paid executive compensation point to a well-managed entity focused on its mission. The availability of 13 years of public filings further contributes to their transparency.