How is Alcoholics Anonymous funded?

Answer 1

A.A. is funded by its members donations. Meeting places are usually in rehab centers, churches or community centers. Those establishments almost always donate their space to have an A.A. meeting. I work for a drug and alcohol rehab facility and they have a lot of treatment programs there. The building and the treatment programs are funded by the State and County mental health board, private donations and children's services. The meetings are able to be held there free of charge to A.A. because it is a fundamental part of the recovery process. Otherwise, A.A. in its self as an organization is funded strictly by donations from it's members.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Pass the basket! If you've got a buck or two, kick in. This typically covers coffee, literature, and rent. (If you're broke, have some coffee anyway and keep coming back.)

Many groups pay some sort of rent for the space they use, although it can be pretty nominal---usually something like $25 a month for 4-5 meetings a month in the US. One group I knew in Virginia "paid" their rent at the local mental health center by keeping the center supplied with AA literature and with the "Where and Whens" (meeting schedule books)---which at 50 cents each, would have chewed up the county drug budget pretty quickly.

When groups have surplus money (above the "prudent reserve" that's recommended), they'll often send it to the local Intergroup or to World Services ("New York"). This helps pay for area phone book listings, answering services to roll-over calls for help, and offsets the cost of literature for hospitals and institutions. It also allows for translation of AA material into other languages--- if you had to depend on sales only, a lot of stuff might never get translated.

Answer 4

"A.A. does not charge membership fees to attend meetings, but instead relies on whatever donations members choose to give to cover basic costs like room rental, coffee, etc. Contributions from members are limited to a maximum annual amount ($2000 per year, though most only donate $1-$2 per meeting). At the local and national level, A.A. groups are self-supporting and not a charity. About half of its sustenance comes from sales of the literature, mostly written by Wilson, and for which he received royalties. Local groups contribute to the national level. It accepts subsidies, as well, from two non-A.A. sources: literature sales to non-AA entities as well as cash from AA convention sites.
A.A. receives proceeds from sale of its book Alcoholics Anonymous along with other A.A. published books and literature, which are periodically revised. Revenues from literature sales constitute more than 50% of the income for the General Service Office. Unlike individual groups, GSO is not self-supporting through contributions."

Answer 5

The 7th tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous states that "Every AA group should be self supporting; declining outside contributions". At meetings, a Seventh tradition basket is passed (the money goes to buying coffee, literature, cakes, and medallions for anniversaries)

Answer 6

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.


Reprinted with permission of The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.

Answer 7

Let's go right to the source and check their tax returns:
http://www.silkworth.net/gsowatch/tax/index.htm

For 2000, they reported $5,939,428 in indirect pubic support; $4,108,388 from their International Convention; $85,444 in interest on savings; and $402,253 in dividends from securities.

Note that most of their employees are not paid, but those at the top, for described part-time work, earn six-figures salaries.

Answer 8

Their $35 billion dollar medical cartel which has yet to prove 'it' is treatment for anything and not psychological abuse, bullying, fraud, collusion, and extortion (pilots, doctors, nurses)

AA is not treatment and its grossly and medically inappropriate for most people.

Answer 9

Entirely by donations of its membership. They accept no outside contributions. This is usually stated at every 12-Step meeting, not just AA.

Answer 10

You raise some good points here.