Is American Legion Legit?

Quick charity verification for American Legion (EIN: 20215228)

Verdict: American Legion appears trustworthy

95/100Mission Score
$917KRevenue
$585KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths

No red flags identified.

Strengths

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: 20215228) 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: $917K. Assets: $585K. 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 20215228. 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 20215228 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 Dover, NH, demonstrates consistent financial health with a positive trend in revenue and assets over the past decade. In the latest filing (202212), the organization reported revenues of $468,130 against expenses of $417,916, indicating a surplus. This positive financial management is further supported by a steady increase in assets, reaching $465,616 in 2022, up from $293,248 in 2013. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low and manageable, peaking at $65,019 in 2019 but reducing to $34,701 in 2022, suggesting good fiscal control. Spending efficiency appears strong, as evidenced by the consistent surpluses in most years, indicating that expenses are generally kept below revenue. The absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of volunteerism in leadership, which contributes to lower administrative overhead and allows more funds to be directed towards programs. This commitment to volunteer leadership is a significant positive indicator for spending efficiency. Transparency is high given the consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over a long period, providing a clear historical financial record. The lack of reported officer compensation also enhances transparency by showing that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization's funds. Overall, the American Legion in Dover, NH, appears to be a financially sound and efficiently managed organization with a strong commitment to transparency.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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