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ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GRAPEVINE INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131871991 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · aagrapevine.org
revenue
$4.2M
expenses
$4.4M
net assets
$-596K
employees
16
volunteers
12
program ratio
96%
mission · from form 990

DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF ALCOHOLISM IN RELATION TO THE PROGRAM OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.

profile · synthesized from sources

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GRAPEVINE INC publishes the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, known as "The AA Grapevine," which shares personal recovery stories, strength, and hope from members worldwide. The organization operates as a nonprofit media publisher, distributing print and digital content to support individuals in recovery from alcoholism. Founded in 1944, it functions independently of AA group contributions, funded primarily through subscription sales and related merchandise.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $362K
    SALE OF BI-MONTHLY SPANISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE IN BOTH PRINT AND DIGITAL FORMAT. THE PUBLICATIONS ARE DIRECTED TOWARD RECOVERY FROM ALCOHOLISM AND THE APPROXIMATE CIRCULATION IS 8,500 PER ISSUE.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

AA Grapevine Magazine
Bimonthly publication featuring personal stories, art, and reflections from Alcoholics Anonymous members worldwide, available in print and digital formats.
AA Grapevine Podcasts
Produces and distributes two podcasts: "The AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Hour" and "The Grapevine Weekly Open AA Meeting."
Carry The Message Project
Initiative to provide free subscriptions to individuals in need, including those in treatment centers, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and homebound settings.
Grapevine Audio Project
Collects and publishes audio recordings of personal recovery stories from AA members, distributed via YouTube and other media platforms.
La Vina
Spanish-language bimonthly magazine for Spanish-speaking AA members, promoting recovery through culturally relevant content with an approximate circulation of 8,500 per issue.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • 12-Step Recovery Support Services 5 activities
    • Distributes free subscriptions to individuals in need
      Provides complimentary print and digital subscriptions to AA Grapevine and La Viña for people in correctional facilities, treatment centers, nursing homes, and others who are homebound or unable to afford a subscription.
    • Hosts and promotes AA community events
      Maintains a public calendar of events and hosts virtual gatherings, including weekly open meetings and special programming, to connect and support the AA recovery community.
    • Organizes volunteer network for outreach and distribution
      Operates a Grapevine Representative program that engages volunteers to promote, distribute, and advocate for AA Grapevine materials within the broader AA community.
    • Provides digital tools and resources for individuals in recovery
      Offers a sobriety calculator, daily inspirational quotes via email subscription, printable anniversary and birthday cards personalized by sobriety date, and free downloadable resources for AA groups to support ongoing recovery and group operations.
    • Publishes recovery-focused magazines and digital content
      Produces and distributes a bi-monthly English-language magazine (AA Grapevine) and a bi-monthly Spanish-language magazine (La Viña) in print and digital formats, with circulations ranging from approximately 6,500 to 10,000 per issue, to carry the AA message of recovery to individuals struggling with alcoholism. Offers digital access through apps and websites for subscribers.
  • Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
    • Accepts and publishes member contributions
      Invites and collects personal stories, artwork, photographs, cartoon captions, and other creative submissions from AA members worldwide for editorial review and potential publication in its magazines, podcasts, and digital platforms. Conducts monthly voting on selected cartoon captions and hosts an annual photo contest.
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services 1 activity
    • Creates accessible content for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities
      Produces American Sign Language (ASL) videos to ensure AA recovery messages are accessible to Deaf Alcoholics.
  • Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
    • Develops and distributes recovery-focused products
      Sells books (including titles such as "Gratitude!"), greeting cards, and related merchandise to support recovery and generate operating income, with discounted pricing available for bulk purchases.
  • Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
    • Produces podcasts and audio content for recovery support
      Creates and publishes multiple podcasts including "The AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Hour," "The Grapevine Weekly Open AA Meeting," and interview-based episodes featuring AA members sharing their experience, strength, and hope. Also collects and publishes audio recordings of personal recovery stories on platforms like YouTube.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.17M
Contributions & grants$1.17M28%
Program service revenue$1.77M43%
Investment income$15K0%
Other revenue$1.21M
expenses
Total expenses$4.43M
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.69M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.87M
Cash$665K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.46M
Net assets$-596K
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CHRISTOPHER CAVANAUGH PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT 45 $228K
JONATHAN WITHERSPOON SENIOR EDITOR 35 $188K
DONNA CHAHALIS CONTROLLER (AS OF 2/24) 35 $151K
JANET BRYAN ASSISTANT SECRETARY/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (THRU 6/24) 35 $41K
board members · 10
  • CINDY FRENCH — DIRECTOR (THRU 4/24)
  • DAVID STEWARD — VICE-CHAIR & TREASURER
  • JOYCE SAUNDERS — CHAIR (AS OF 4/24)
  • MOLLY OLIVER — DIRECTOR
  • MORGAN BIGGS — DIRECTOR
  • NICOLE OLIVER — SECRETARY (AS OF 5/24)
  • PAZ PRECIADO — CHAIR (THRU 4/24)
  • TEDDY BASHAM-WITHERSPOON — DIRECTOR
  • TERESA JACKS — DIRECTOR (AS OF 5/24)
  • TOM HOBAN — SECRETARY (THRU 4/24)
relationships · 7

Who they work with

  • AA Grapevine Network — Member publication of the Alcoholics Anonymous network, sharing personal recovery stories.
  • AA groups Network — Local Alcoholics Anonymous groups participate in and contribute content to AA Grapevine through representative volunteers.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous Network — Operates as the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, aligned with AA's Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts.
  • Editorial Advisory Board of AA Grapevine, Inc. Network — Advisory body providing editorial guidance for AA Grapevine content.
  • General Service Office Government — Collaborates with the General Service Office on organizational updates and outreach.
  • La Vina Partner — Collaborates to distribute recovery literature subscriptions to individuals in need.
  • YouTube Partner — Hosts video content about the Grapevine and La Viña apps on a dedicated playlist.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Grassroots Distribution Network for Peer-Led Outreach
    methodology: grassroots_representative_network
    By using volunteer Grapevine Representatives within local AA groups to distribute literature and collect contributions, the organization strengthens peer connections and embeds recovery support into community structures, because decentralized, member-driven outreach increases relevance and ownership of the recovery process.
  • Literature as a Tool for Sustained Engagement
    methodology: literature-based-recovery-support
    By providing curated, recovery-focused literature in multiple formats—including print, digital, and mobile access—the organization supports ongoing engagement with AA principles, because consistent exposure to recovery content reinforces commitment and offers guidance during vulnerable moments.
  • Peer-Based Storytelling and Experience Sharing
    methodology: peer_recovery_sharing
    By sharing personal recovery stories through peer-led formats, the organization fosters relatability and connection, which helps others achieve and maintain sobriety because lived experience builds trust and models practical pathways to recovery.