Is Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa Legit?

The Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa in York, ME, appears to be a local chapter with a relatively stable, albeit modest, financial footprint. Over the past decade, its revenue has fluctuated, with a notable dip in 2015 to negative revenue, but generally staying within the $64,000 to $157,000 range. Expenses have consistently exceeded revenue in several recent periods, such as 2024 ($117,937 expenses vs. $87,664 revenue) and 2023 ($97,431 expenses vs. $78,307 revenue), indicating an operational deficit in those years. This trend suggests the organization may be drawing down on its assets or relying on prior surpluses to cover current operations. Asset levels have shown a gradual decline over the past decade, from $558,016 in 2016 to $416,043 in 2024, while liabilities have remained substantial, ranging from $286,929 to $373,640. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates a volunteer-driven leadership, which is a positive sign for minimizing administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses beyond total expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency, particularly the allocation between programs, administration, and fundraising. The NTEE code being unknown also limits a clear understanding of its primary programmatic focus. Overall, the organization demonstrates a commitment to volunteer leadership, but its financial health shows signs of strain with recurring operational deficits and declining assets. Improved transparency regarding expense allocation would provide a clearer picture of its spending efficiency and programmatic impact. The organization's ability to sustain its operations in the long term, given the consistent expense over revenue, warrants closer monitoring.