Is American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial Legit?
Quick charity verification for American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial (EIN: 16021275)
Verdict: American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$282KRevenue
$148KAssets
0Red Flags
5Strengths
No red flags identified.
Strengths
Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and high efficiency.
No reported liabilities in the most recent filing (202206), suggesting strong financial health.
Stable asset base over the past several years, demonstrating financial resilience.
Extensive filing history (11 filings) indicating good transparency and compliance.
Strong program focus due to minimal administrative and fundraising overhead.
Spending Breakdown
How American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
90%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
5%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 0197 Westbrook Memorial
Is American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial (EIN: 16021275) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 0 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.
Is American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial a good charity to donate to?
American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $282K. Assets: $148K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial is 16021275. 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 0197 Westbrook Memorial spend its money?
American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial allocates 90% to programs, 5% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Legion Post 0197 Westbrook Memorial's tax-exempt status using EIN 16021275 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 0197 Westbrook Memorial demonstrates a consistent financial operation, with revenues and expenses fluctuating over the past decade. The organization's latest filing (202206) shows revenue of $141,258 against expenses of $154,869, indicating a slight deficit for that period. However, the prior year (202106) saw a surplus with $177,226 in revenue and $117,240 in expenses. Total assets have remained relatively stable, with $147,621 in 2022 and $160,613 in 2021, and no reported liabilities in the most recent filing, which is a positive indicator of financial stability. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership structure, enhancing efficiency and ensuring more funds are available for programs.
The organization's financial health appears sound, with a history of managing its resources effectively. While there are periods of deficit, these are often balanced by periods of surplus, demonstrating a cyclical financial pattern common for membership-based organizations. The consistent reporting of zero officer compensation is a significant strength, indicating a high degree of spending efficiency by minimizing overhead related to executive salaries. Transparency is good, with 11 filings available, showing a clear history of financial activity.