American Legion
American Legion frequently operates at a deficit, with declining assets and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 210391093 · Trenton, NJ · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $1.4M |
| Total Expenses | $1.4M |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $587K |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
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 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About American Legion
American Legion (EIN: 210391093) is a nonprofit organization based in Trenton, NJ. The organization reported total revenue of $1.4M and total assets of $1.2M 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 mid-size 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 -2.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.0M |
| Total Expenses | $1.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-388,889 |
| Total Assets | $1.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $461K |
| Net Assets | $587K |
| Operating Margin | -38.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 44.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 9.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, American Legion reported a deficit of $389K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 9.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 44.0% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), American Legion's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -4.2% | +13.9% | -23.8% |
| 2022 | +0.9% | +10.1% | -17.5% |
| 2021 | +37.9% | +36.2% | -6.0% |
| 2020 | -37.6% | -39.2% | +5.7% |
| 2019 | -20.1% | +10.6% | -4.4% |
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 65 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: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, American Legion allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $389K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 44.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The American Legion consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its top executives do not receive salaries from the organization, which is a strong positive for minimizing administrative costs.
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:
- Consistent operational deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in multiple years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017).
- Significant decline in total assets from $1,772,456 in 2020 to $1,047,853 in 2023.
- Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, making efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for American Legion:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries are paid from the organization's funds.
- Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrates consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Legion
Is American Legion a legitimate charity?
American Legion (EIN: 210391093) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New Jersey. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 65/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $1.4M. 3 red flags identified. 2 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does American Legion spend its money?
American Legion directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This meets the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to American Legion tax-deductible?
American Legion is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 210391093). 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 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is American Legion located?
American Legion is headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 210391093.
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 $1.4M in total revenue.
Is the American Legion financially sustainable given its recurring deficits?
The organization has frequently reported expenses exceeding revenue, such as a $388,889 deficit in 2023 ($1,388,992 expenses vs. $1,000,103 revenue). This trend, if continued, could impact long-term financial health despite current asset levels.
What is the cause of the decline in assets from $1,772,456 in 2020 to $1,047,853 in 2023?
The significant decrease in assets by over $700,000 in three years, alongside consistent operational deficits, suggests the organization may be drawing down reserves to cover expenses. Further investigation into investment performance or major asset sales would be needed.
How does the American Legion cover its operational deficits?
Given the recurring deficits and declining assets, the organization appears to be covering shortfalls by utilizing its existing asset base. This is not a sustainable long-term strategy without a corresponding increase in revenue or reduction in expenses.
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 22.1%, moving from $1.3M to $1.0M. Total assets decreased by 30.7% over the same period, from $1.5M to $1.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 25.6%, from $1.1M to $1.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), American Legion reported a deficit of $389K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $461K in liabilities against $1.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 44.0%), resulting in net assets of $587K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.0M | $1.4M | $1.0M | $461K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.0M | $1.2M | $1.4M | $422K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.0M | $1.1M | $1.7M | $374K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $750K | $813K | $1.8M | $504K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.2M | $1.3M | $1.7M | $416K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.5M | $1.2M | $1.8M | $346K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.2M | $1.3M | $1.6M | $488K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.3M | $1.2M | $1.6M | $457K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.3M | $1.3M | $1.5M | $481K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.4M | $1.3M | $1.6M | $450K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.3M | $1.4M | $1.5M | $480K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $982K | $973K | $1.7M | $502K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.3M | $1.1M | $1.5M | $377K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -4.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $1.4M (revenue +0.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +37.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $750K, expenses of $813K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -37.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -20.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +21.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -4.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +1.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue -7.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $1.6M (revenue +8.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +28.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $982K, expenses of $973K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue -23.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $1.5M.
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.