Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc. reported a total revenue of $12,278,134 for its fiscal year ending December 2022.
This figure represents the financial activities of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., the primary corporate entity that serves the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) fellowship globally. It's important to understand that the AA fellowship itself, composed of millions of members in tens of thousands of groups worldwide, does not "make money" in the traditional sense. Instead, the general service structure, including AA World Services, is self-supporting through contributions from its members and groups.
Understanding AA's Financial Structure
Alcoholics Anonymous operates on a principle of self-support, meaning it accepts no outside contributions. Its funding comes exclusively from its members and groups. These funds support various services vital to carrying the AA message, such as:
- Publishing and distributing literature: Books, pamphlets, and other materials that explain the AA program.
- Operating central offices and intergroups: Local support structures that assist groups and members.
- Maintaining a presence online and through helplines: Providing access to information and support for those seeking help.
- Facilitating conventions and conferences: Events that foster unity and share experience, strength, and hope.
- Public information efforts: Informing the public and professionals about AA.
The revenue generated by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc. primarily comes from the sale of AA literature and voluntary contributions from AA groups and individual members.
Financial Overview of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc.
For the fiscal year ending December 2022, the financial data for Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., located in New York, NY (zip code 10115-0002), was as follows:
| Financial Metric | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue (Fiscal Year 2022) | \$12,278,134 |
| Net Assets (End of Fiscal Year 2022) | \$5,640,131 |
This revenue supports the essential services that allow AA to continue its mission of helping alcoholics recover. The "net assets" figure represents the organization's financial strength or reserves at the end of that fiscal period.
How AA Stays Self-Supporting
AA's tradition of self-support is a cornerstone of its autonomy. Contributions are typically collected at group meetings, and a portion of these funds is then forwarded to district, area, and eventually to the General Service Office (which is part of AA World Services Inc.). This ensures that the services are directly funded by those who benefit from them, maintaining AA's independence from outside influences.
Key aspects of AA's self-support model include:
- Voluntary Contributions: Members and groups contribute what they can afford.
- Literature Sales: The sale of AA-approved books and pamphlets is a significant source of income.
- No Outside Funding: AA does not accept grants, government funding, or large donations from non-members.
This unique financial model underscores AA's commitment to its primary purpose: to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
