Quick charity verification for American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton (EIN: 16029165)
Verdict: American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton shows mixed signals
65/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue in most years, e.g., 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010).
Gradual decline in assets over the past decade (from $410,916 in 2012 to $339,443 in 2020).
NTEE code is unknown, which limits understanding of its specific charitable purpose.
Strengths
0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds.
Consistently files IRS 990 forms, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Low liabilities across all reported periods, suggesting responsible debt management.
Spending Breakdown
How American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
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 31 Alden Gayton
Is American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton (EIN: 16029165) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton a good charity to donate to?
American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton is 16029165. 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 31 Alden Gayton spend its money?
American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Legion Post 31 Alden Gayton's tax-exempt status using EIN 16029165 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 31 Alden Gayton appears to be a small, local organization with a consistent history of operating at a slight deficit, as evidenced by expenses exceeding revenue in most reported periods (e.g., $33,679 expenses vs. $29,280 revenue in 2020). The organization's assets have shown a gradual decline over the past decade, from $410,916 in 2012 to $339,443 in 2020, indicating a potential long-term financial strain. However, its liabilities have remained relatively low, suggesting it is not accumulating significant debt.
Given the available data, a detailed breakdown of spending efficiency (program vs. administrative vs. fundraising) is not possible as the IRS 990 data provided does not include these specific expense categories. The organization reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of volunteer leadership and efficient use of funds for its stated mission. Without more granular expense data, a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency is limited.
Transparency is moderate based on the provided data. The organization consistently files its IRS 990 forms, which is a good practice. However, the lack of detailed expense categories in the summary data limits the ability to fully understand how funds are allocated. The NTEE code is unknown, which can sometimes hinder understanding of its specific programmatic focus.