Lena Savoie
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to overcome their drinking problems. AA meetings are free to attend, and there are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to address their drinking problem. AA's primary purpose is to help alcoholics achieve sobriety through mutual aid and shared experience. The organization is self-supporting, and its activities are funded by voluntary contributions from its members. AA groups may also contribute to the General Service Office, and individual members can donate up to $7,500 per year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Annual contribution limit from individuals to Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office of Los Angeles | $5,000 |
| Birthday Plan contribution | $1 per year suggested, up to $7,500 |
| Individual member contribution limit to GSO | $7,500 per year |
| Bequests | One-time gifts up to $10,000 |
| Mailed contribution checks payable to | LACO, 3333 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 415, Los Angeles, CA 90010 |
| Contribution methods | Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, check, cash |
| Group contribution | No contribution limit |
| Membership cost | Free |
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What You'll Learn
Individual members can contribute up to $7,500 per year
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. AA groups are self-supporting, and only members can contribute financially. AA's Seventh Tradition states: "Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions." This means that AA groups are funded by the voluntary contributions of their members. There are no dues or fees for AA membership, and members are free to contribute as much or as little as they wish.
The Birthday Plan is for groups or members who wish to contribute to the General Service Office (GSO) on their AA birthday. While $1 per year is suggested, members may contribute up to $7,500 per year. Individual AA member contributions to the GSO are limited to $7,500 per year, while there is no limit for AA groups. This limit on individual contributions ensures that AA remains free of outside influences, allowing the organization to focus on its primary purpose of helping alcoholics achieve sobriety.
The Los Angeles Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous (LACO) also has an annual contribution limit of $5,000 from individuals. LACO uses contributions to produce the print and online LACO Meeting Directories, sell AA conference-approved literature, and provide services for Los Angeles County. Contributions to AA groups and central offices may be made securely online or by mail. Some groups pass the basket for the Central Office quarterly or once a month, and members can also set up recurring contributions.
While AA groups are self-supporting, they may also choose to send money to other AA service entities, such as the local district, area committee, or local intergroup or central office, to help carry the message of AA and support newcomers. These contributions help maintain meeting spaces, provide literature, and keep AA services available to those who need them.
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Groups can contribute any amount
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. AA groups are self-supporting, and contributions are only accepted from AA members. While there is no membership fee, groups usually have voluntary collections during meetings to cover expenses, and members are free to contribute as much or as little as they wish.
The Birthday Plan is a contribution plan for groups or members who wish to contribute to the General Service Office on their AA birthday. While $1 per year is suggested, members may contribute any amount up to $7,500. AA groups can also contribute any amount to the General Service Office without a specified limit.
The General Service Conference suggests that individual groups adopt a contribution plan that suits their financial situation. After covering their expenses, groups may further support AA activities by sending money to the local district, area committee, or local intergroup/central office. These entities play crucial roles in communicating with groups, coordinating activities, and providing services such as phone support for Twelfth Step calls.
Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office of Los Angeles, a nonprofit corporation, also accepts contributions from groups and members. While individual contributions are limited to $5,000 per year, there is no specified limit for group contributions. These donations help maintain meeting spaces, provide literature, support newcomers, and ensure the availability of AA services.
The self-supporting nature of AA groups, as outlined in the Seventh Tradition, ensures that the organization remains free from outside influences and focused on its primary purpose: helping alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety.
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Payments can be made online or by mail
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who come together to overcome their drinking problem. AA groups are self-supporting, and their expenses are covered by voluntary contributions from members. AA does not accept contributions from non-members.
AA groups may accept contributions online or by mail. Online methods include Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. When using these methods, members are advised to adjust their privacy settings to ensure anonymity.
For mailed contributions, some groups provide an address to which cheques can be sent. The Los Angeles Central Office of AA, for example, provides the following address:
> Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office of Los Angeles, 3333 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 415, Los Angeles, CA 90010
The Birthday Plan is another way members can contribute to the General Service Office (GSO). This plan suggests a contribution of $1 per year, but members may give as much as they wish up to $7,500 per year.
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Contributions are tax-deductible
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. AA groups are self-supporting, and only members can contribute financially to AA. AA does not have any dues or fees for membership, and there are no age or education requirements to participate.
The Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office of Los Angeles is a nonprofit corporation, registered under California law, and approved as a Public Charity by the IRS under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This means that contributions to the Los Angeles Central Office, regardless of the amount, are tax-deductible. For contributions of $250 or more, you will automatically receive a letter of acknowledgment of your contribution for your tax records. For lesser amounts, you can request a letter of acknowledgment. For contributions under $250, your PayPal receipt can be used as proof of your contribution for income tax purposes. If you mail in your contribution, you will receive a mailed receipt (and, if applicable, a letter of acknowledgment) if you provide your return mailing address.
The annual contribution limit from individuals to the Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office of Los Angeles is $5,000. The Los Angeles Central Office produces the print and online LACO Meeting Directories, manages the AA website, sells AA conference-approved literature, and provides services for Los Angeles County.
Individual AA members and AA groups may also contribute to the General Service Office (GSO). Individual member contributions are limited to $7,500 per year, while there is no limit for AA groups.
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The Birthday Plan suggests a $1 per year contribution
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who come together to overcome their drinking problems. AA groups are self-supporting, and only members can contribute financially to AA. The Birthday Plan is a contribution plan for groups or members who want to contribute to the General Service Office on their AA birthday. The suggested contribution is $1 per year, but members can give as much as they like up to $7,500 per year.
The Birthday Plan is a way for members to give back to the organisation on their AA birthday, marking another year of sobriety. The $1 per year suggestion is a symbolic amount, showing that the member's contribution is more important than the amount they give. It also ensures that all members, regardless of their financial situation, can participate and give what they can.
AA groups have expenses such as rent, utilities, and literature, and these are typically covered by voluntary collections during meetings. The Birthday Plan is another way for members to contribute to these expenses and ensure the group can continue to function and help its members.
The $1 per year suggestion also helps to prevent disputes over money and authority within the group. AA's Seventh Tradition states that groups should be fully self-supporting and decline outside contributions to remain free of outside influences. By limiting individual contributions to $7,500 per year, the Birthday Plan helps to ensure that no single member has too much financial influence over the group.
The Birthday Plan is a way for members to support their local AA group and ensure it can continue to provide services to those who need them. It is a voluntary contribution, and members are free to give as much or as little as they wish, with the suggested amount of $1 per year being a modest and accessible option.
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Frequently asked questions
Individual members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can contribute up to $7,500 per year to the General Service Office (GSO). The Birthday Plan suggests a contribution of $1 per year, but members can give as much as they wish up to the $7,500 limit.
Yes, members can contribute to their local district, area committee, and local intergroup or central office. Some groups pass the basket for the Central Office quarterly or once a month, and members can also set up recurring contributions of $1, $5, or more for every year of their sobriety.
No, in keeping with AA's tradition of self-support, outlined in the Seventh Tradition, AA only accepts contributions from AA groups and individual AA members.
