Is Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa Legit?
Quick charity verification for Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa (EIN: 205265238)
Verdict: Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa appears trustworthy
70/100Mission Score
$233KRevenue
$577KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Expenses exceeded revenue in the two most recent filing periods (2023 and 2024), indicating an operating deficit.
NTEE code is unknown, making it difficult to categorize and benchmark its specific charitable activities.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data limits transparency into spending efficiency.
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership.
Assets consistently exceed liabilities, demonstrating a strong balance sheet and financial stability.
History of generally positive net income in most years prior to 2023, contributing to asset growth.
Spending Breakdown
How Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
70%
Program Spending
Below average — room for improvement
20%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
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 Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa
Is Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa (EIN: 205265238) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa a good charity to donate to?
Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $233K. Assets: $577K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa is 205265238. 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 Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa spend its money?
Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa's tax-exempt status using EIN 205265238 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 Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa (Galloway, NJ) demonstrates a consistent operational pattern over the past decade, with revenues generally exceeding expenses in most years, contributing to a gradual increase in assets. For instance, in 2021, revenue was $93,009 against expenses of $76,440, and in 2020, revenue was $100,365 against expenses of $88,576. However, the most recent filings for 2023 and 2024 show expenses exceeding revenue, with 2024 reporting $132,377 in expenses against $122,226 in revenue, and 2023 showing $107,056 in expenses against $72,485 in revenue. This recent trend of operating at a deficit warrants closer examination.
The organization's financial health appears stable with assets consistently higher than liabilities, indicating a solid equity position. For example, in 2024, assets were $581,808 compared to liabilities of $405,357. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-driven leadership structure, which can be a positive indicator of efficiency and dedication to mission. However, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency and program focus. The NTEE code being unknown also limits a clear understanding of its specific charitable focus.