Is Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa Legit?
Quick charity verification for Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa (EIN: 220764390)
Verdict: Benevolent & Protective Order Of Elks Of The Usa shows mixed signals
55/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
4Red Flags
2Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent operating deficits (e.g., $49,298 deficit in 2024, $68,837 deficit in 2023)
Declining asset base over the past decade (from $802,454 in 2015 to $547,720 in 2024)
Lack of detailed expense breakdown to assess program efficiency
NTEE code is 'Unknown', hindering classification and comparative analysis
Strengths
No reported officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and low executive overhead
Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, demonstrating transparency in reporting financial data
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: 220764390) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 2 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 55/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. 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 220764390. 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 220764390 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 (EIN: 220764390) appears to be a local lodge, as indicated by its relatively modest financial figures and consistent operational patterns. Over the past decade, the organization has frequently operated at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in most years. For instance, in 2024, expenses were $335,044 against revenues of $285,746, and in 2023, expenses were $362,481 against revenues of $293,644. This consistent spending beyond income suggests a reliance on accumulated assets or other non-operating income sources to cover shortfalls, which is not sustainable long-term without significant asset depletion.
The organization's assets have shown a declining trend over the past decade, from $802,454 in 2015 to $547,720 in 2024, while liabilities have remained relatively stable or slightly increased. This indicates a gradual erosion of its financial reserves. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings suggests that leadership roles are likely volunteer-based, which is a positive indicator for minimizing administrative overhead. However, without a detailed breakdown of expenses (e.g., program vs. administrative vs. fundraising), it's challenging to fully assess spending efficiency and program focus. The NTEE code being 'Unknown' also limits a clear understanding of its primary mission category.