American Bible Society

What American Bible Society does

American Bible Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization founded in 1816 and headquartered at 101 N. Independence Mall East in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization's mission is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format they can understand and afford, and it operates as a portfolio of ministry programs rather than a single product. Core program lines include the Global.Bible digital reading platform supporting over 1,000 languages, the End-to-End gospel outreach ministry active in 80+ countries, the Armed Services Ministry for U.S. military and veterans, the Restoring Hope / Trauma Healing Institute / Beyond Disaster trauma and disaster-recovery programs present in 115+ countries, and a global Bible Translation initiative conducted in partnership with the United Bible Societies network (156 national societies in 240+ countries) and the illumiNations alliance with Wycliffe and Seed Company. The organization reaches 30M+ people through End-to-End ministry and reports 18M+ Bibles sold in the U.S. in 2025, an 11% year-over-year increase.

The revenue model is donation-driven, structured around one-time gifts and a monthly giving program with suggested tiers at $35, $75, $150, and $200, supplemented by e-commerce revenue from bibles.com where churches can make volume purchases and consumers can participate in a "Buy a Bible, Give a Bible" program. Supporting engagement channels include a Daily Bible Reading email subscription, English and Spanish Bible Blogs, social media presence on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram, and an annual State of the Bible research publication that drives earned media coverage. Distribution combines digital (Global.Bible mobile app), e-commerce (bibles.com), direct ministry (U.S. Armed Services, disaster response), and a global partner network via 156 national Bible Societies.

The organization is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors chaired by Nicole Johansson and led by President & CEO Dr. Jennifer Holloran, who joined in 2024 after more than 22 years as Chief Operating Officer of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. The executive team includes officers across Marketing, Development, Innovation, Partnerships, Technology, Administration, Finance, and Legal. It holds Charity Navigator four-star, Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, and ECFA accreditation. As a 501(c)(3) religious nonprofit, the entity has no parent company, no equity ownership, and raises capital through charitable contributions rather than equity or debt issuance; EIN 13-1623885.

Name

American Bible Society

Legal name

American Bible Society

Website

https://americanbible.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1816

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

American Bible Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1816 and headquartered in Philadelphia that makes the Bible available globally through translation, digital platforms (Global.Bible in 1,000+ languages), trauma-healing programs, and ministry partnerships across 240+ countries, funded by donations and Bible sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Nonprofit Ministry

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG), Denominational & Community Periodicals (Church Magazines, Diocesan/Temple Newsletters) (MPAJAHAI)

Keywords

• Bible translation
• Scripture distribution
• Nonprofit ministry
• Bible engagement
• Religious publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors contributing one-time or monthly donations to support Bible distribution and ministry programs. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 13-1623885, with donations being tax-deductible.
2. Bible Sales: Revenue generated from selling Bibles and custom Bible resources through bibles.com, including specialty editions and volume purchases for churches. The organization also offers 'Buy a Bible, Give a Bible' program where purchases support distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

American Bible Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization that makes the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford. It operates a portfolio of ministry programs including Global.Bible (a digital Bible platform in 1,000+ languages), End-to-End gospel outreach (active in 80+ countries), Bible translation through partnerships with United Bible Societies, Restoring Hope trauma healing ministry, Armed Services Ministry for U.S. military, and engagement resources. Primary revenue comes from charitable donations, supplemented by Bible sales through bibles.com.

Product overview

American Bible Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1816 that makes the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford. The organization operates as a portfolio of interconnected ministry programs rather than a single unified product. Its core offerings include Global.Bible, a digital Bible reading platform in over 1,000 languages; the End-to-End gospel outreach program (active in 80+ countries, reaching 30+ million people); the Restoring Hope trauma healing ministry with its Trauma Healing Institute and Beyond Disaster sub-programs; Armed Services Ministry for U.S. military; and a Bible Translation Program partnering with United Bible Societies and illumiNations. These programs are supported by engagement resources including Daily Bible Reading, Bible Blog, Bible Resources, and Find Your Bible tools. Research initiatives include the annual State of the Bible study, and the organization publishes Record Magazine. The integrated approach combines digital platforms, print distribution, translation services, trauma support, and military ministry to fulfill the Great Commission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Restoring Hope: The healing and resilience ministry of American Bible Society, providing Bible-based resources to help people stay anchored in hope through challenging seasons. Developed in partnership with Trauma Healing Institute.
• Trauma Healing Institute
• Beyond Disaster
• End-to-End
• illumiNations
• Global.Bible
• Armed Services Ministry

Products and services

• Global.Bible A digital Bible reading and listening platform available in over 1,000 languages, enabling users to read and listen to Scripture without distraction on mobile devices.
• Restoring Hope A Bible-based trauma healing and resilience ministry providing resources to help individuals and churches process grief, trauma, and crisis using Scripture combined with mental health practices; operates in 115 countries.
• End-to-End A gospel outreach ministry that introduces unreached people to Christ through a four-step process (gospel film viewing, audio Scripture listening groups, print Bible distribution, and church planting), active in 80+ countries and reaching 30+ million people.
• Armed Services Ministry A ministry providing free Bible resources, military-edition Bibles, and Scripture materials designed specifically for U.S. service members, veterans, and military families facing unique challenges.
• Bible Translation Program A global Bible translation initiative partnering with United Bible Societies (156 national Bible Societies in 240+ countries) and the illumiNations alliance to translate Scripture into heart languages, addressing 1.5 billion people waiting for a full Bible in their language and 3,423 languages without Scripture access.
• Daily Bible Reading A daily Scripture engagement program providing daily Bible readings, prayer prompts, and devotional content delivered via email subscription, with downloadable PDF guides available in English and Spanish.
• Bibles.com Retail Online e-commerce storefront for purchasing Bibles in various translations and formats, including specialty editions, custom Bibles, church volume purchases, and a 'Buy a Bible, Give a Bible' program where purchases support distribution efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• End-to-End ministry active in 80+ countries, reaching 30+ million people with gospel
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CBN NewsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 April 2026Partnership for State of the Bible research release and documentary series 'Investigating the Supernatural: Angels and Demons.' CBN News provided media coverage for the landmark research revealing Americans' beliefs on miracles and prayer.
• United Bible SocietiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellowship of 156 national Bible Societies working in more than 240 countries and territories, providing on-the-ground staff and expertise to translate, publish, distribute, and help people meaningfully engage with the Bible. This partnership supports translation projects for endangered and indigenous languages while serving all people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
• illumiNations AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective impact alliance of Bible translation partners collaborating under the Every Tribe Every Nation name, including American Bible Society, Wycliffe, and Seed Company. Through the All Access Goals, this alliance aims to eradicate Bible poverty and expand access to God's Word by 2033.
• The JESUS Film ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnd-to-End ministry uses the JESUS Film as the first step in introducing unreached people groups to the saving hope of Jesus. The two-hour gospel film is shown to communities who then progress through audio Bible listening groups and receive print Bibles.
• Faith Comes by HearingcoreTechnology or IntegrationAudio Bible resource provider used in End-to-End Step 2, where participants join Scripture listening groups using Audio Scripture resources or Proclaimers devices to progressively listen through the New Testament in small groups.
• Trauma Healing InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner25+ year partnership providing Bible-based trauma healing resources. The Trauma Healing Institute has shared healing resources in over 100 nations, empowering the body of Christ with programs helping people move from emotional suffering to loving connection.
• Beyond DisastercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible-based materials program helping people recover from natural and man-made disasters. Integrates best practices in mental health into a biblical framework, offering resources for survivors, first responders, and churches in several languages.
• Global Church Planting PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners who help plant and establish new local churches in areas where no church exists, completing the End-to-End process from unreached people to Jesus followers to church community members.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Bible Societies: Global fellowship of 156 national Bible Societies; ABS is a member and operates through this network for translation and distribution in 240+ countries, making it the closest functional peer.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators: Core illumiNations alliance partner focused on Bible translation; ABS's new CEO previously served as COO at Wycliffe USA, and the two collaborate on the Every Tribe Every Nation initiative.
• YouVersion (Life.Church): Free digital Bible app from Life.Church with massive install base; directly competes with Global.Bible for consumer Scripture engagement time and donations in the digital ministry category.
• Bible Gateway: Long-standing online Bible reading platform offering hundreds of translations; competes with Global.Bible and Find Your Bible for digital Scripture engagement.
• Seed Company: illumiNations alliance partner accelerating Bible translation movements; comparable mission and methodology around heart-language Scripture access.
• JESUS Film Project (Cru): Producer of the JESUS Film used in ABS's End-to-End Step 1; comparable evangelism and Bible-distribution ministry serving unreached people groups globally.

Broad incumbents

• Tyndale House Publishers: Established commercial Bible publisher (New Living Translation); comparable publishing output but as a for-profit incumbent with broader retail distribution than ABS's bibles.com channel.
• HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Zondervan): Major commercial Bible and Christian book publisher (NIV, NKJV); a larger incumbent competitor in Bible publishing and Scripture engagement resources.
• Compassion International: Large evangelical child sponsorship nonprofit; ABS's CMO previously built Compassion's global marketing team. Comparable scale, donor model, and faith-based nonprofit operations.
• World Vision: Large faith-based humanitarian nonprofit; ABS's CMO recently led brand strategy at World Vision. Comparable donor-driven, multi-program global ministry structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/americanbible

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Bible Society