American Legion
American Legion Auburn, ME, operates with volunteer leadership and fluctuating annual surpluses/deficits.
EIN: 16029208 · Auburn, ME · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $281K |
| Total Expenses | $110K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $68K |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is American Legion Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
American Legion directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About American Legion
American Legion (EIN: 16029208) is a nonprofit organization based in Auburn, ME. The organization reported total revenue of $281K and total assets of $85K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of American Legion's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
American Legion is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 80 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $94K |
| Total Expenses | $110K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-16,054 |
| Total Assets | $69K |
| Total Liabilities | $931 |
| Net Assets | $68K |
| Operating Margin | -17.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 1.4% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, American Legion reported a deficit of $16K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 7.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 1.4% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), American Legion's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +13.2% | +2.6% | -9.5% |
| 2022 | -14.0% | +10.0% | +27.9% |
| 2021 | +47.6% | +27.3% | -33.4% |
| 2020 | -56.5% | -29.7% | -3.0% |
| 2019 | +16.3% | +5.6% | +65.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1946 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates American Legion with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, American Legion allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $16K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 1.4%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported at 0%, indicating that the organization's officers are volunteers, which is a positive sign for minimizing administrative overhead.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of American Legion's IRS 990 filings:
- Occasional operating deficits, such as in 2023 ($109,818 expenses vs. $93,764 revenue), indicate spending exceeding income.
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown in provided data makes it difficult to fully assess program efficiency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for American Legion:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation, indicating volunteer leadership and potentially lower administrative costs.
- Generally stable financial operations with revenues often covering expenses over the long term.
- Maintains a healthy asset base relative to its annual revenue, with assets of $85,337 against $280,515 latest revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Legion
Is American Legion a legitimate charity?
American Legion (EIN: 16029208) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Maine. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $281K. 2 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does American Legion spend its money?
American Legion directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to American Legion tax-deductible?
American Legion is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 16029208). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of American Legion's spending goes to programs?
American Legion directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is American Legion located?
American Legion is headquartered in Auburn, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 16029208.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does American Legion have?
American Legion has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $281K in total revenue.
What are the specific programs and services provided by the American Legion in Auburn, ME?
The IRS 990 data provided does not detail specific programs, but American Legion posts typically support veterans, their families, and local communities through various initiatives.
How does the organization manage its liabilities, which have varied significantly over the years?
Liabilities have fluctuated, from $28,750 in 2016 to $0 in 2022 and $931 in 2023. The filings do not provide details on the nature or management of these liabilities.
What is the primary source of the organization's revenue?
The provided data only shows total revenue figures; specific sources like donations, membership dues, or event income are not itemized.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for American Legion showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), American Legion's revenue has declined by 3.9%, moving from $98K to $94K. Total assets increased by 68.1% over the same period, from $41K to $69K. Total functional expenses rose by 2.8%, from $107K to $110K. In its most recent filing year (2023), American Legion reported a deficit of $16K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $931 in liabilities against $69K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.4%), resulting in net assets of $68K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $94K | $110K | $69K | $931 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $83K | $107K | $76K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $96K | $97K | $60K | $573 | — | — |
| 2020 | $65K | $76K | $89K | $27K | — | — |
| 2019 | $150K | $109K | $92K | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $129K | $103K | $56K | $28K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $83K | $94K | $30K | $28K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $100K | $95K | $31K | $29K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $82K | $80K | $13K | $15K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $81K | $83K | $22K | $16K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $80K | $83K | $23K | $18K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $89K | $89K | $29K | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $98K | $107K | $41K | $24K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $94K, expenses of $110K, and assets of $69K (revenue +13.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $83K, expenses of $107K, and assets of $76K (revenue -14.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $96K, expenses of $97K, and assets of $60K (revenue +47.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $65K, expenses of $76K, and assets of $89K (revenue -56.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $150K, expenses of $109K, and assets of $92K (revenue +16.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $129K, expenses of $103K, and assets of $56K (revenue +54.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $83K, expenses of $94K, and assets of $30K (revenue -16.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $100K, expenses of $95K, and assets of $31K (revenue +21.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $82K, expenses of $80K, and assets of $13K (revenue +1.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $81K, expenses of $83K, and assets of $22K (revenue +0.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $80K, expenses of $83K, and assets of $23K (revenue -10.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $89K, expenses of $89K, and assets of $29K (revenue -8.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $98K, expenses of $107K, and assets of $41K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for American Legion:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for American Legion is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.