Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian General Benevolent Union maintains strong asset growth and reports no officer compensation across all filings.
EIN: 135600421 · Pasadena, CA · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Armenian General Benevolent Union Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Armenian General Benevolent Union directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian General Benevolent Union (EIN: 135600421) is a nonprofit organization based in Pasadena, CA. The organization reported total revenue of $278.1M and total assets of $327.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Armenian General Benevolent Union's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Armenian General Benevolent Union is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 67 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2022). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -3.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $38.8M |
| Total Expenses | $28.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$10.1M |
| Total Assets | $297.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $5.2M |
| Net Assets | $292.4M |
| Operating Margin | 26.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 1.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 124.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2022, Armenian General Benevolent Union reported a surplus of $10.1M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 124.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 1.7% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2011–2022), Armenian General Benevolent Union's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -11.8% | +31.4% | +0.2% |
| 2021 | +24.0% | -32.5% | +10.6% |
| 2020 | +38.8% | +15.1% | +3.1% |
| 2019 | -12.6% | +17.6% | +9.2% |
| 2018 | -4.8% | -5.1% | -4.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1959 |
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 Armenian General Benevolent Union with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Armenian General Benevolent Union allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2022)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $10.1M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Armenian General Benevolent Union consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets nearing $300 million.
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 Armenian General Benevolent Union's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data prevents granular efficiency analysis.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Armenian General Benevolent Union:
- Consistent asset growth, indicating strong financial management and stability (Assets grew from $233M in 2013 to $297M in 2022).
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting high efficiency and dedication to mission.
- Maintains a healthy surplus of revenue over expenses, contributing to long-term sustainability (e.g., $38.7M revenue vs. $28.6M expenses in 2022).
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating a strong balance sheet and low financial risk (e.g., $5.1M liabilities vs. $297.5M assets in 2022).
Frequently Asked Questions about Armenian General Benevolent Union
Is Armenian General Benevolent Union a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Armenian General Benevolent Union (EIN: 135600421) some concerns. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Armenian General Benevolent Union spend its money?
Armenian General Benevolent Union directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Armenian General Benevolent Union tax-deductible?
Armenian General Benevolent Union is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135600421). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Armenian General Benevolent Union a good charity?
Based on the available IRS 990 data, AGBU appears to be a financially sound organization with substantial assets and a history of operating with a surplus. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is a significant positive indicator of its commitment to directing resources towards its mission. However, without detailed program spending ratios, a complete assessment of 'goodness' is limited.
How has AGBU's financial health changed over time?
AGBU has shown consistent financial growth, with assets increasing from $233,732,267 in 2013 to $297,525,915 in 2022. Revenue and expenses have fluctuated, but the organization has generally maintained a healthy surplus, contributing to its growing asset base and long-term stability.
What is the trend in AGBU's revenue and expenses?
Revenue has varied, with a peak of $43,918,491 in 2021 and $38,755,110 in 2022. Expenses have generally been lower than revenue, allowing for asset accumulation. For example, in 2022, expenses were $28,642,760 against $38,755,110 in revenue, demonstrating a consistent operational surplus.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Armenian General Benevolent Union showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2022), Armenian General Benevolent Union's revenue has declined by 30.6%, moving from $55.9M to $38.8M. Total assets increased by 40.6% over the same period, from $211.6M to $297.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 24.8%, from $22.9M to $28.6M. In its most recent filing year (2022), Armenian General Benevolent Union reported a surplus of $10.1M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $5.2M in liabilities against $297.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 1.7%), resulting in net assets of $292.4M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $38.8M | $28.6M | $297.5M | $5.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $43.9M | $21.8M | $296.9M | $5.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $35.4M | $32.3M | $268.5M | $5.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $25.5M | $28.0M | $260.3M | $3.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $29.2M | $23.9M | $238.5M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $30.7M | $25.1M | $249.2M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $28.6M | $23.3M | $233.3M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $23.1M | $23.2M | $222.5M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $18.1M | $18.3M | $234.2M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $22.4M | $22.0M | $233.7M | $3.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $19.9M | $22.3M | $222.5M | $3.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $55.9M | $22.9M | $211.6M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2022: Revenue of $38.8M, expenses of $28.6M, and assets of $297.5M (revenue -11.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $43.9M, expenses of $21.8M, and assets of $296.9M (revenue +24.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $35.4M, expenses of $32.3M, and assets of $268.5M (revenue +38.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $25.5M, expenses of $28.0M, and assets of $260.3M (revenue -12.6% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $29.2M, expenses of $23.9M, and assets of $238.5M (revenue -4.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $30.7M, expenses of $25.1M, and assets of $249.2M (revenue +7.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $28.6M, expenses of $23.3M, and assets of $233.3M (revenue +24.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $23.1M, expenses of $23.2M, and assets of $222.5M (revenue +27.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $18.1M, expenses of $18.3M, and assets of $234.2M (revenue -18.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $22.4M, expenses of $22.0M, and assets of $233.7M (revenue +12.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $19.9M, expenses of $22.3M, and assets of $222.5M (revenue -64.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $55.9M, expenses of $22.9M, and assets of $211.6M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Armenian General Benevolent Union:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Armenian General Benevolent Union 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.