BENEVOLENT & PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS 400
EIN 39-0159955 · Mutual & Membership Benefit (Y)
What they do
to INCULCATE THE PRINCIPLES of CHARITY, JUSTIC, BROTHERLY LOVE and FIDELITY; to RECOGNIZE A BELIEF IN GOD; to PROMOTE THE WELFARE and ENHANCE THE HAPPINESS of IT MEMBERS; TOCULTIVATE GOOD FELLOWSHIP; to PERPETURATE ITSELF AS A FRANTERNAL ORGANIZATION, and to PROVIDE for ITS GOVT.
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $77.40 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
What leaders were paid
Reported for tax year 2025These compensation amounts were reported by the charity on its Form 990. They are already included within the charity’s reported expenses—not extra amounts to add to the spending totals below.
Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Compare it with the charity’s size, work, location, and documented results.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
Money report from 2025The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders12 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
How each $100 of revenue was used
The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.
Gray means reported revenue left after expenses for this filing year. It does not necessarily mean cash sitting in a bank account.
Has the pattern changed?
Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, and time below are reported by the organization on its Form 990. Reported compensation is shown near the top beside the spending summary.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (12)
ARLYN CLARKSENSECRETARY
ROBERT SCHWINGLETREASURER
JASON SOMERSTRUSTEE
AMANDA DECKONLOYAL KNIGHT
GENE BESTTRUSTEE
JEFF BERNHARDTTREASURER
JOHN DRAUSETRUSTEE
KERRY CARPENTERTRUSTEE
LAURIE ALDRICHLEADING KNIGHT
LISA KROMJAILECTURING KNIGHT
MARY ELLEN RUZGAEXAULTED RULER
STEVE FRASCHTRUSTEE
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 1951
- Location
- 2301 SPRINGDALE RD, WAUKESHA, WI 53186
- County
- Waukesha
- In care of
- JEFF BERNHARDT
- Primary officer
- JEFF BERNHARDT, TREASURER
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2025
- Tax period began
- April 1, 2025
- Return type
- 990
- Tax preparer
- HAGEN CPA LLC
- NTEE classification
- Mutual & Membership Benefit (Y)
- IRS tax category
- Mutual & Membership Benefit
- Grant-giving organization
- Yes