American Legion
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE AMERICAN LEGION WAS CHARTERED AND INCORPORATED BY CONGRESS IN 1919 AS A PATRIOTIC VETERAN'S ORGANIZATION DEVOTED TO MUTUAL HELPFULNESS. IT IS THE NATION'S LARGEST WARTIME VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION, COMMITTED TO MENTORING YOUTH AND SPONSORSHIP OF WHOLESOME PROGRAMS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, ADVOCATING PATRIOTISM AND HONOR, PROMOTING STRONG NATIONAL SECURITY, AND CONTINUED DEVOTION TO OUR FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS. FOR GOD AND COUNTRY, WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER; TO FOSTER AND PERPETUATE A ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AMERICANISM; TO PRESERVE THE MEMORIES AND INCIDENTS OF OUR ASSOCIATIONS IN THE GREAT WARS; TO INCULCATE A SENSE OF INDIVIDUAL OBLIGATION TO THE COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATION; TO COMBAT THE AUTOCRACY OF BOTH THE CLASSES AND THE MASSES; TO MAKE RIGHT THE MASTER OF MIGHT; TO PROMOTE PEACE AND GOOD WILL ON EARTH; TO SAFEGUARD AND TRANSMIT TO POSTERI
- Income
- $246,030
- Spending
- $247,052
- Employees
- 41
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 31, 2024, 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- -- PROVIDED A VARIETY OF VETERANS SERVICES INCLUDING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, VETERAN'S ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE. PROVIDED A PLACE FOR VETERANS TO MEET AND SOCIALIZE. -- ASSISTED NEEDY AND DISABLED VETERANS AND WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF DECEASED VETERANS. -- CONDUCED PROGRAMS FOR CHARITABLE, LITERACY AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. -- SPONSORED AND/OR PARTICIPATED IN PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES. -- PROVIDEE COLOR GUARD AND FIREING SQUAD FOR ALL DECESSED VETERANS IN THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. -- HELD A VETERANS DAY DINNER FOR ALL MEMBERS. -- CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE.
- PROVIDE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS NONE IN CURRENT YEAR.
- LAWFUL PURPOSE DONATIONS, ALL REPORTED ON SCHEDULE G OF 2,675.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 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 October 7, 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.