American Bible Society

What it reported doing in 2024

In 2025, american bible society continued its 209th year of bible-based ministry as we faithfully moved ahead with our vision to see millions of people living in the united states actively engaged in god's word. We will reach this goal by working closely with churches and other bible-based ministries in cities across the u.s. , featuring our wide variety of scripture resources in print and digital formats, as well as our bible-based trauma healing ministry to ease all wounded hearts with the healing power of god's word. American bible society helps people experience god through the bible. We provide access to the bible to unreached and underserved people around the world, help people engage in the bible including those in crisis who find restoration through scripture, and advocate for the bible's message of hope here in america. Through the church and a global network of bible societies, we carry god's word where it is needed most. Our research and experience tell us the bible makes us more generous, more compassionate, more loving toward our neighbors, and more hopeful about our future in christ. That's why our mission since 1816 has been to help all people experience the life-changing message of god's word. God's word for the unreached we provide access to the bible in every language, for every person. We are leaders and innovators in the bible translation movement, focusing on creating and applying emerging technologies to accelerate translation efforts through 70 bible translation projects. Because we believe the bible is for all people, our translation ministry includes audio and video bibles, sign language bibles, braille bibles, and bible resources that contextualize the gospel message for diverse cultures and traditions around the world. Our innovative translation framework allows us to accurately and efficiently translate first bibles, study bibles, and modern language bibles for the next generation. We also distribute the bible with the aim of placing god's word into the hands and hearts of all people searching for truth. Since our founding, we have distributed more than 6.9 billion pieces of scripture worldwide . Often, our bible distribution ministry leads us to the frontlines of conflict, war, terrorism, natural disasters, and other humanitarian crises. We joyfully partner with local bible societies ministering in more than 240 countries and territories around the world to ensure efficient distribution through the local community. Our bible society partners are experts on their nations' church cultures and help us respond to the real-time scripture needs of local believers. In the past year, we provided over 2.4 million print and digital bibles to waiting people around the world. In addition, abs intellectual property such as bible versions and content were licensed in print and digital formats to over 32 million recipients globally. God's word for people in crisis the bible restores broken hearts. Our bible-based restoring hope ministry helps people in crisis find peace through the power of scripture. First developed in the democratic republic of the congo to help people rebuild in the aftermath of war and genocide, this ministry combines mental health best practices with the power of god's word. By engaging with the bible's healing words in safe, small group settings, people are guided to give their pain to jesus and begin the journey to joy and restoration. Our trauma healing resources address the many forms of trauma experienced by the world's people. These resources equip churches and agencies in serving populations suffering from conflict and war, survivors of disaster, people struggling with the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, children and teens experiencing trauma, and members of the military community. Formats include small groups, online video courses, and print and digital documents. In addition, we share free basic trauma healing resources to increase awareness in the church and equip believers to

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 76.4%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.53 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 3 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 38
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Pass
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Pass
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 89.5%; rating input score 90; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Scored; rating input score 0

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 11.2%; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 10.57; rating input score 92; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.11; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5.3%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0.1% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.7% per year; rating input score 100; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.2% per year; rating input score 100; 21st percentile among comparable filings