Is Elks National Veterans Service Commission Legit?

Quick charity verification for Elks National Veterans Service Commission (EIN: 131548228)

Verdict: Elks National Veterans Service Commission appears trustworthy

85/100Mission Score

$8.1MRevenue

$708KAssets

2Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Significant revenue decline in 202403 ($167,544) while expenses remained high ($5,183,074), indicating a potential operational deficit or reporting anomaly.
Fluctuations in assets and liabilities, particularly the drop in assets from $5,694,904 in 202303 to $573,639 in 202403, which could signal significant asset deployment or divestment.

Strengths

Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported periods, demonstrating a strong commitment to direct program spending.
Strong program focus, with implied high percentage of expenses going towards veteran services.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), indicating transparency and consistent reporting.
Significant revenue growth from 201503 to 202303, showing strong fundraising capabilities.
NTEE code T40 (Veterans) aligns perfectly with the organization's name and mission.

Spending Breakdown

How Elks National Veterans Service Commission allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

90%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

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 Elks National Veterans Service Commission

Is Elks National Veterans Service Commission a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Elks National Veterans Service Commission (EIN: 131548228) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Elks National Veterans Service Commission a good charity to donate to?

Elks National Veterans Service Commission has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $8.1M. Assets: $708K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Elks National Veterans Service Commission?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Elks National Veterans Service Commission is 131548228. 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 Elks National Veterans Service Commission spend its money?

Elks National Veterans Service Commission allocates 90% to programs, 7% to administration, and 3% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Elks National Veterans Service Commission's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Elks National Veterans Service Commission's tax-exempt status using EIN 131548228 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 Elks National Veterans Service Commission demonstrates a strong commitment to its program services, consistently allocating a significant portion of its expenses to direct veteran support. For instance, in the 202403 period, with expenses at $5,183,074, the organization maintained zero officer compensation, indicating a focus on mission over executive pay. While the latest revenue figure of $8,104,755 is substantial, the organization's assets of $708,223 are relatively modest compared to its operational scale, suggesting efficient use of funds rather than accumulation. The organization's financial health appears stable, with revenues generally exceeding or closely matching expenses in recent years, such as in 202303 where revenue was $5,181,799 against expenses of $4,716,044. However, the significant revenue drop in 202403 to $167,544 while expenses remained high at $5,183,074 warrants closer examination to understand the cause of this disparity and its potential impact on future operations.

The organization's transparency is bolstered by its consistent filing of IRS Form 990s, with 13 filings available, providing a clear historical financial record. The absence of officer compensation across all reported periods is a notable positive indicator of financial stewardship and a direct allocation of resources to its charitable purpose. The NTEE code T40 (Veterans) aligns well with its name and mission, suggesting a clear programmatic focus. The fluctuation in assets and liabilities over the years, such as the jump in assets to $5,694,904 in 202303 from $573,639 in 202403, suggests dynamic financial management, which could be related to specific program cycles or funding initiatives. Overall, the organization appears to be a financially responsible entity with a strong program focus, though the recent revenue dip is a point of concern.

Spending efficiency is generally high, given the consistent zero officer compensation and the implied high program spending. The organization's ability to operate with relatively low assets compared to its revenue and expense levels suggests that funds are being actively deployed for services rather than held in reserve. The consistent growth in revenue from $1,165,190 in 201503 to $5,181,799 in 202303 (before the 202403 dip) demonstrates a strong fundraising capacity. The organization's commitment to its mission is evident in its financial practices, making it a generally efficient and transparent charity.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.