Is American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post Legit?
Quick charity verification for American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post (EIN: 10018923)
Verdict: American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$1.1MRevenue
$232KAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
Strengths
Consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings)
Zero reported officer compensation across all filings
Generally stable revenue and expense balance
Low liabilities in most reporting periods
Positive asset growth in recent years
Spending Breakdown
How American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post 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 Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post
Is American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post (EIN: 10018923) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post a good charity to donate to?
American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $1.1M. Assets: $232K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post is 10018923. 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 Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post spend its money?
American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post allocates 90% to programs, 10% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post's tax-exempt status using EIN 10018923 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
American Legion Post 0019 Thomas W Cole Post demonstrates consistent operational activity with revenues and expenses generally in balance over the past decade. For instance, in 2023, the organization reported revenues of $241,362 against expenses of $241,067, indicating a very tight operational margin. While the organization's assets have fluctuated, they have shown a general upward trend in recent years, reaching $195,501 in 2023, suggesting some financial stability. The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, which is a positive indicator for public accountability.
The organization's spending efficiency appears to be focused on its core mission, as indicated by the absence of reported officer compensation across all available filings. This suggests that administrative costs related to executive salaries are minimal or non-existent, potentially allowing a greater proportion of funds to be directed towards programs. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, a precise assessment of spending efficiency is challenging. The relatively low liabilities reported in most years also point to sound financial management.
Overall, the American Legion Post 0019 appears to be a financially stable organization, operating with a lean structure given the zero officer compensation. Its consistent filing history contributes to its transparency. While the exact allocation of expenses to programs versus other categories is not explicitly detailed in the provided summary, the lack of executive compensation is a strong positive indicator for efficient use of funds.