American Legion
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE AMERICAN LEGION IS A VETERANS ORGANIZATION WHICH WAS DECLARED TO BE A CORPORATE BODY BY AN ACT OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1919. ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL ACT AND SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS: "TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; TO PROMOTE PEACE AND GOODWILL AMONG THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALL OF THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH; TO PRESERVE THE MEMORIES AND INCIDENTS OF THE TWO WORLD WARS AND OTHER GREAT HOSTILITIES FOUGHT TO UPHOLD DEMOCRACY; TO CEMENT THE TIES AND COMRADESHIP BORN OF SERVICE; AND TO CONSECRATE THE EFFORTS OF ITS MEMBERS TO MUTUAL HELPFULNESS AND SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY."
- Income
- $3.2 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 34
- Highest pay
- $133,500, adjutant
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- THE GENERAL FUND PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR AMERICAN LEGION POST MEMBERS IN NEW YORK; PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS AND MEMBERS' FAMILIES; PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND TO CHILDREN OF VETERANS; PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE.
- VETERANS' SERVICES PROVIDES ACCELERATED AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICERS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO PROVIDE EXPERT ASSISTANCE, FREE OF CHARGE, TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WHILE THE MAJORITY OF A SERVICE OFFICER'S WORK INVOLVES APPLICATION FOR VA DISABILITY BENEFITS, THESE COMPASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION, REFERRALS AND RESOURCES ON EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS, DEATH BENEFITS AND OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS.
- AMERICAN LEGION BOYS STATE OF NEW YORK IS AN ANNUAL WEEK-LONG PROGRAM THAT IMMERSES HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH (CURRENTLY COMPLETING THEIR JUNIOR YEAR) IN CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING. THEY LEARN THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT AS IT EXISTS IN NEW YORK STATE, AND COME TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS INTEGRAL TO THE CHARACTER AND SUCCESS OF GOVERNMENT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(19) veterans' organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.