What The Lockman Foundation does

The Lockman Foundation is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit ministry founded in 1942 and headquartered in La Habra, California, dedicated to the translation, publication, and distribution of the Bible. The Foundation owns and produces a family of proprietary Bible translations including the New American Standard Bible (NASB) in three editions (1977, 1995, 2020), the Amplified Bible, the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), and two Spanish-language translations (NBLA and LBLA). Its scholarly output is supported by an Editorial Board and Greek/Hebrew consultants, producing 16,000+ study notes in the NASB Study Bible and a searchable online database of more than 200,000 Bible questions, answers, and cross-references at bible.lockman.org.

The Foundation's product portfolio spans core Bible texts, enhanced study editions such as the NASB Tony Evans Study Bible (which integrates 150+ QR-code videos), devotional and Bible story resources, and a Free Bible distribution program that supplies Bibles, New Testaments, and Gospels of John to US churches and ministries for outreach purposes. Underlying technology is a Bible translation and publication platform with integrated digital study resources, including a verse search and cross-reference system linked to Strong's Hebrew-Greek dictionary.

The Foundation operates a hybrid revenue model combining direct e-commerce sales (shop.lockman.org), third-party retail distribution (Amazon, LifeWay), case-quantity bulk discounts, permission-to-quote licensing fees for reproducing NASB text, and charitable giving through the Amazon Smile program. Primary customer segments are individual Bible readers (pastors, students, laypeople) seeking accurate word-for-word translations, churches and ministries using the free Bible program for evangelism, and Spanish-speaking Christian communities served by NBLA and LBLA. Free Bible distribution is limited to US shipping, which caps the program's geographic reach.

Name

The Lockman Foundation

Legal name

The Lockman Foundation

Website

https://lockman.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Lockman Foundation is a nondenominational Christian nonprofit that translates, publishes, and distributes the NASB, Amplified, LSB, and Spanish NBLA/LBLA Bibles, plus study resources, to individual readers, churches, and ministries primarily in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Books Printing (323117), Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Patent Owners & Lessors (6794)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL), Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB), Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Religious & Spiritual Print-on-Demand (Bibles, Devotionals) (MPAJANAG)

Keywords

• Bible translation publishing
• Religious nonprofit publishing
• Study Bible resources
• Spanish Bible translations
• Bible licensing and distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

La Habra

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Bible Sales: Direct sales of printed and digital Bible editions through the organization's e-commerce platform, including NASB 2020, NASB 1995, Amplified Bible, and study Bible variants. Revenue generated through case discounts and individual purchases.
2. Free Bible Distribution Program: Free Bibles, New Testaments, and Gospels of John distributed to churches and ministries for ministry outreach, with recipients covering shipping costs only. The program supports churches in distributing Scripture to attendees or for ministry purposes.
3. Permission to Quote Licensing: Licensing fees for permission to quote NASB Bible text. Organizations and individuals must obtain express prior written consent for reproducing, retransmitting, distributing, or selling Bible content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Lockman Foundation translates, publishes, and distributes a family of copyrighted Bible translations in English (NASB 2020, NASB 1995, NASB 1977, Amplified Bible, Legacy Standard Bible) and Spanish (LBLA, NBLA), supported by study Bibles (NASB Study Bible, NASB Tony Evans Study Bible), a 200,000+ entry searchable Bible Questions database, devotional and Bible story content, and a free Bible distribution program for U.S. churches and ministries. Products are sold direct via shop.lockman.org, through Amazon and LifeWay, and licensed via permission-to-quote agreements.

Product overview

The Lockman Foundation is a religious nonprofit organization dedicated to the translation, publication, and distribution of Bible translations and biblical resources. The company's product portfolio centers on its family of Bible translations including the New American Standard Bible (NASB) in multiple editions (2020, 1995, and 1977), the Amplified Bible (AMP), Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), and two Spanish-language translations (NBLA and LBLA). Beyond core Bible texts, the organization offers enhanced study editions including the NASB Study Bible with over 16,000 study notes and the NASB Tony Evans Study Bible featuring Dr. Tony Evans' commentary with QR-code-enabled video content. Additional offerings include a Bible Questions and Answers database (searchable by verse with over 200,000 entries), Bible Devotions, Bible Stories resources, and a Free Bible Offer program for churches and ministries. The organization operates both physical product distribution through its shop and digital platforms including the bible.lockman.org questions forum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NASB (New American Standard Bible): Multiple editions including NASB 1977, NASB 1995, and NASB 2020
• Amplified Bible (AMP)
• Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
• NBLA (Nueva Biblia de las Américas)
• LBLA (La Biblia de las Américas)

Products and services

• New American Standard Bible (NASB 2020) The NASB 2020 is the latest edition of the word-for-word New American Standard Bible translation, offering greater accuracy, modernized language, and improved readability for pastors, Bible students, and lay readers, faithfully reflecting the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.
• New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995) The NASB 1995 is a long-established edition of the NASB translation, prized by pastors, scholars, and serious Bible students for its word-for-word precision and clear readable style, available in printed and digital formats.
• New American Standard Bible (NASB 1977) The NASB 1977 is the original NASB edition providing a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, continuing to be made available through the Lockman Foundation shop.
• Amplified Bible (AMP) The Amplified Bible is a translation that unfolds layers of meaning behind key terms using parentheses for additional phases of meaning and brackets for clarifying comments not expressed in the original text, helping readers see familiar passages with new depth.
• Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) The Legacy Standard Bible is a translation from the Lockman family of Bibles, maintaining the legacy of accurate biblical translation for personal study and ministry use.
• Nueva Biblia de las Américas (NBLA) NBLA is a Spanish-language Bible translation published by The Lockman Foundation, providing accurate biblical text grounded in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek for Spanish-speaking readers and churches.
• La Biblia de las Américas (LBLA) LBLA is a Spanish-language Bible translation from The Lockman Foundation for Spanish-speaking Christian readers and churches.
• NASB Study Bible The NASB Study Bible is a comprehensive study edition featuring immersive illustrated design and more than 16,000 study notes from respected Bible scholars, designed for both deep study and daily reading.
• NASB Tony Evans Study Bible The NASB Tony Evans Study Bible features extensive notes, commentary, sermons, and writings by Dr. Tony Evans, including over 150 QR-code-enabled videos, designed to guide readers into deeper understanding of Scripture and application of the kingdom of God.
• Bible Questions and Answers Database A searchable online database of over 200,000 Bible questions, answers, and notes, allowing users to look up verse-specific answers and receive scholarly responses for deeper biblical understanding and Christian faith growth.
• Free Bible Offer Program The Free Bible Offer Program distributes free Bibles, New Testaments, and Gospels of John to U.S. churches and ministries for ministry outreach, with recipients covering shipping costs; availability is limited to U.S. shipping only.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200,000 Bible questions and answers searchable through the bible.lockman.org platform
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tony EvanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development of the NASB Tony Evans Study Bible featuring extensive study notes, commentary, sermons, and writings by Dr. Tony Evans. Includes over 150 QR code-enabled videos strategically placed alongside biblical text for deeper Scripture understanding and kingdom of God application.
• LifeWayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChristian retail partnership for distribution of the NASB Tony Evans Study Bible through LifeWay's retail and e-commerce channels.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable giving program partnership where The Lockman Foundation is listed as a qualifying charitable organization. A portion of eligible Amazon purchases are donated to support the foundation's Bible translation and distribution mission.
• Bible Scholars and TranslatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with respected Bible scholars for translation work, study notes (16,000+ notes in NASB Study Bible), and editorial review. The Editorial Board appointed by The Lockman Foundation reviews translation work, with Greek and Hebrew consultants providing expertise.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crossway: Non-profit publisher of the English Standard Version (ESV), one of NASB's closest word-for-word competitors. Closely comparable governance model (non-profit) and translation positioning.
• Tyndale House Publishers: Publisher of the New Living Translation and a major producer of study Bibles (including the Life Application Study Bible). Directly comparable product line and target customer (pastors, laypeople, study groups).
• American Bible Society: Non-profit organization dedicated to Bible translation, distribution, and engagement. Comparable mission and nonprofit governance, with broader Scripture engagement programs overlapping Lockman's free Bible initiative.
• Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing): One of the largest Christian publishers in the world, producing the NIV and NKJV translations as well as study Bibles. Directly comparable to Lockman as a Bible translation publisher with a broader trade book and curriculum portfolio.
• Biblica: Non-profit steward of the New International Version (NIV) and publisher of Bibles and Scripture resources globally. Direct translation publisher peer with global distribution and nonprofit structure.
• B&H Publishing Group: Publishing arm of LifeWay Christian Resources and Southern Baptist Convention, producing the CSB translation and Holman Bibles. Comparable study Bible and translation portfolio, with denominational backing.
• Thomas Nelson Bibles (HarperCollins Christian Publishing): Major publisher of the NKJV and King James Version Bibles, plus study and reference editions. Direct competitor in the English Bible translation and study Bible market with substantially larger scale.

Emerging players

• YouVersion (Life.Church): Free digital Bible app with hundreds of millions of installs. Competes with Lockman's paid print and digital Bibles via free access, reshaping consumer Bible-reading habits and pressing on paid Bible economics.

Regional players

• Concordia Publishing House: Publishing arm of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, producing the Lutheran Study Bible and other denominational resources. Comparable as a confessional/non-profit Bible publisher with a more denominationally concentrated audience.
• Gospel Publishing House (Assemblies of God): Denominational publisher producing the New International Version and Spirit of the Revival Study Bible. Comparable non-profit publishing model with a Pentecostal/evangelical focus and similar study Bible offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheLockmanFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nasb.amplified
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lockman-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 The Lockman Foundation