irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0VETERANS' SERVICES PROVIDES ACCREDITED AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICERS THAT ARE SPECIALLY 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.
- #2 $0AMERICAN 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.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Boys State
Annual week-long leadership and citizenship program for high school juniors that simulates New York state government and includes training by Marines and mentors from professional fields.
Heroes to Hometowns
Transition program for severely injured service members returning home, offering welcome celebrations, financial assistance, housing support, and family services.
Junior Shooting Sports
Structured marksmanship program for youth ages 14–21 that emphasizes gun safety and 10-meter air rifle competition, with top shooters advancing to national finals.
Operation Comfort Warrior
Supplies comfort items such as sweat suits, books, electronic devices, and recreational equipment to wounded, injured, or ill military personnel in hospitals and transition units.
Oratorical Contest
Speech competition for high school students focused on the U.S. Constitution, with state-level winners receiving scholarships up to $6,000.
Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)
Provides cash grants to minor children of veterans to help cover costs of shelter, food, utilities, and health expenses when families are in need.
Veterans’ Services
Provides free assistance through accredited service officers who help veterans and their families navigate VA disability benefits, education, employment, and other resources.
activities · 13 groups
What they do
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Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 2 activities
- Provide veterans benefits assistanceProvides free expert assistance to veterans and their families through accredited service officers, primarily supporting applications for VA disability benefits, military healthcare, and referrals on education, employment, and death benefits.
- Support wounded warriors through Heroes to HometownsConnects Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing transition support such as welcome celebrations, financial aid, housing assistance, and distribution of comfort items like clothing, books, and electronics.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Administer youth scholarship programsAwards multiple scholarships to Legion Family members and high school seniors in New York, including the Richard M. Pedro Memorial Scholarship, Albert M. Becker Memorial Scholarship, and Oratorical Contest scholarships, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $6,000.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Conduct member leadership training (Legion College)Operates American Legion Family College to train members in leadership and organizational skills, with a 2026 session at SUNY Morrisville that enrolled 104 participants and graduated 94 Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, and Sons of the American Legion.
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Shooting Sports Training and Safety 1 activity
- Deliver youth shooting sports programsRuns junior air rifle and BB gun leagues, organizes the Junior Shooting Sports State Championships, and supports youth participation in state-level competitions, with teams winning top honors in sporter and precision categories.
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Fund child welfare initiativesFunds nonprofit projects supporting children's welfare through the Child Welfare Foundation, awarding grants totaling $12.6 million to date.
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Youth Debate and Public Speaking Programs 1 activity
- Host youth oratorical contestsHosts the annual Department Oratorical Contest for youth, culminating in the 89th Annual State Contest held in Albany, NY, promoting civic education and public speaking skills.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Operate youth leadership programs (Boys State, Girls State)Organizes the American Legion Boys State of New York and supports Girls State programs for high school juniors, offering week-long immersive experiences in state government, civic engagement, and leadership development; designated as a Commander’s Special Project to elevate visibility and participation.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Organize community outreach and recognition eventsConducts community outreach through holiday parties, blood drives, charitable events, and recognition programs for first responders, Scouts, and Legion leaders, including annual conventions, galas, and tournaments.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Preserve military and organizational historyMaintains historical artifacts and legacy through initiatives such as establishing an artifact room to preserve items of historical significance.
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Youth Scouting Leadership Programs 1 activity
- Promote Scouting and youth mentorshipMentors youth through Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts programs, recognizing outstanding leaders and Eagle Scouts annually with awards, plaques, and scholarships.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Provide emergency and temporary financial assistanceProvides cash grants to minor children of eligible veterans through the Temporary Financial Assistance program to help cover basic living expenses during times of crisis.
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Youth Baseball Character Development 1 activity
- Run American Legion Baseball programOperates amateur baseball programs across New York to promote sportsmanship, citizenship, and fitness among youth, including sponsorship of elite teams and local leagues.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advocate for veterans' recognition and policy changeEngages in advocacy efforts including passing resolutions and coordinating national campaigns, notably achieving the posthumous awarding of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis on March 3, 2026.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.91M
Contributions & grants$524K18%
Program service revenue$1.74M60%
Investment income$543K19%
Other revenue$107K
expenses
Total expenses$2.96M
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$975K
Grants paid out$236K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$13.05M
Cash$795K
Investments$10.92M
Liabilities$2.07M
Net assets$10.98M
Liquid reserves47.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -19.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES W CASEY | ADJUTANT | 40 | $134K |
| TIMOTHY J COLLMER | DEPARTMENT C | 30 | $23K |
board members · 22
- ANTHONY GUILIANI — 2ND DISTR. V
- ARVIN CHIN — 1ST DISTRICT
- BRUCE FEIN — 6TH DISTR. V
- CATHERINE E ERWIN — TREASURER
- CHARLES HALL — 2ND DISTRICT
- DANIEL J ZIMMER — 7TH DISTR. V
- FRANK PETERS — ANEC
- GUY BEROGAN — 5TH DISTRICT
- JAMES GARVEY — 3RD DISTR. V
- JAMES TRAINOR — 10TH DISTRIC
- JOSEPH PATNODE — 4TH DISTR. V
- KATHERINE DONNELLY — 4TH DISTRICT
- KATHRYN KINDLE — VICE CDR 7TH
- KENNETH ROBARGE — 5TH DISTR. V
- LAWRENCE BEHLING — VICE CDR 5TH
- LENARD G BEAULIEU — VICE CDR 3RD
- MICHAEL BROPHY — VICE CDR 1ST
- MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ — VICE CDR 2ND
- NELSON OLDFIELD — 8TH DISTRICT
- PATRICK CASPER — 9TH DISTR. V
- PAUL DOUGLASS — 6TH DISTRICT
- PAUL OSER — 9TH DISTRICT
relationships · 34
Who they work with
- 8th District Partner — District-level committee that submits nominations for first responder awards
- American Legion Auxiliary Partner — Women's patriotic service organization affiliated with The American Legion, focused on service to veterans, service members, and communities.
- American Red Cross Partner — Collaborates with posts to conduct blood drives.
- Binghamton American Legion Post 1645 Partner — Sponsored Heyan Chung in the 2026 State Oratorical Contest
- Boys State of New York Partner — Supported as the special project of the 2026–2027 Department Commander.
- Brushton-Moira American Legion Post 939 Partner — Sponsored Angie Lennox in the 2026 State Oratorical Contest
- Butts-Clark Post 204 Partner — Hosting post for the Legion Family Bowling Tournament.
- Carle Place American Legion Post 1718 Partner — Sponsored Katherine Mazaroski in the 2026 State Oratorical Contest
- Child Welfare Foundation Network — Separate 501(c)3 corporation created by The American Legion Department of New York to fund children's welfare projects.
- Cicero American Legion Post 787 Partner — Hosted the Department of New York League Championships for Junior Shooting Sports
- Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis Government — Engaged in advocacy efforts related to the Medal of Honor campaign for Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis.
- Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post 942 Partner — Sponsored Lucas Christopher in the 2026 State Oratorical Contest
- Crowne Plaza – The Desmond Hotel Partner — Host venue for the Mid-Winter Conference and Oratorical Contest events.
- East Meadow Post 1082 Partner — Post-level committee that submits nominations for first responder awards
- Lima Post Partner — Local post conducting outreach as part of Regiment 282.
- Maple Hill Golf Club Partner — Host venue for the Department Golf Tournament.
- Medina Lanes Partner — Host venue for the Legion Family Bowling Tournament.
- Mohawk Post Partner — Local post that established an artifact room for historical preservation.
- Nassau County Partner — County-level committee that submits nominations for first responder awards
- National Executive Committee Network — Approved the Department of New York's resolution supporting the Medal of Honor campaign for Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis
- New York American Legion Media Alliance (NYALMA) Partner — Offers the Albert M. Becker Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing communications degrees.
- Post 1302 Partner — Recognized as a veteran-led organization making community contributions.
- President Donald J. Trump Government — Submitted a formal request for action regarding the Medal of Honor which resulted in presidential recognition.
- SUNY Morrisville Partner — Hosted the 2026 Legion College training session
- SUNY Morrisville Partner — Hosted the 2026 New York American Legion College session.
- SUNY at Morrisville Partner — Host institution for the American Legion Boys State and American Legion Family College programs.
- Scouting America Partner — Collaborates with Scouting America to support youth development and promote recognition of military service values.
- Scouting America Partner — Collaborates with Scouting America to support youth, including waiving registration fees for children of military families and developing the Military Service & Veterans badge.
- Senator Charles Schumer Government — Engaged in advocacy efforts related to the Medal of Honor campaign for Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis.
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Government — Engaged in advocacy efforts related to the Medal of Honor campaign for Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis.
+ 4 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Hub Modelmethodology: community_hub_modelBy using local posts as decentralized community hubs, the organization delivers diverse services and programs because veteran-led, place-based infrastructure increases trust, accessibility, and civic participation.
- Experiential Civic Educationmethodology: experiential_civic_educationBy immersing youth in hands-on civic programs such as Boys State, the organization strengthens democratic understanding and leadership development because experiential learning fosters deeper engagement and retention than classroom instruction alone.
- Grassroots Advocacymethodology: grassroots_advocacyBy mobilizing members at the local level to contact federal legislators, the organization influences policy on behalf of veterans because sustained, constituent-driven pressure increases legislative responsiveness.
- Member-Driven Policy Formationmethodology: member-driven_policy_formationBy adopting policy positions through member conventions, the organization ensures advocacy reflects grassroots priorities because democratic input strengthens legitimacy and member buy-in.
- Veteran Service Officer Modelmethodology: veteran_service_officer_modelBy deploying trained, accredited service officers to provide free, expert assistance, the organization increases veterans' access to VA and community benefits because direct, professional support navigates complex systems more effectively than self-advocacy.