American Bible Society
American Bible Society (ABS) is a public charity based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1816, it supports Bible access and engagement through Scripture resources, translation and distribution, Bible-based trauma healing, and partnerships with churches and other ministries.
Key facts about American Bible Society
In short: American Bible Society gave $4.7M across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $172K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 13-1623885
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,652,128
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- Average grant
- $172,301
- Median grant
- $14,888
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (9 of 27, 2025)
- Total assets
- $766,074,173
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- The 2026 Innovation Grants application deadline was January 12, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$766.1M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.7M
+23.0% YoY
Grant Count
27
+80.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$172K
-31.7% YoY
Is American Bible Society open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 27 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $447K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $14K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
ABS states its mission is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. Its work includes Bible translation and distribution, Scripture engagement, and Bible-based trauma healing. The organization also maintains a rare Scripture collection for scholarly research and educational exhibitions.
The 2026 Innovation Grants are for research on interventions intended to increase Bible engagement and support spiritual vitality and well-being, with special emphasis on the “Movable Middle” and adults ages 18–35. ABS defines Scripture engagement as consistent interaction with the Bible that shapes choices and transforms relationships.
Grantees listed in 2025 include organizations with varied Christian and humanitarian missions. For example, Good News Center Inc. says its mission is to assist less fortunate individuals in India; The Timothy Initiative says it works to multiply disciples and disciple-making churches around the world; and Good News Publishers describes its mission as proclaiming the gospel through publishing and other means.
Grantmaking
ABS reported **27 grants totaling $4,652,128 in 2025**. The median grant was $14,888; awards ranged from $7,000 to $3,354,850. The largest listed awards included $3,354,850 to FLDC in Philadelphia, $330,000 to Big Life International in Georgia, $224,793 to Renew World Outreach in Georgia, $114,500 to Good News Center in Georgia, and $100,000 to The Timothy Initiative in North Carolina. The stated purpose for these grants was “program services.”
Review Cycle
** The 2026 Innovation Grants application deadline was January 12, 2026. The RFP says awards would be announced by March 1, 2026, and grant work must be completed by June 1, 2027.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from American Bible Society
American Bible Society - Lt. Col. Robert C. and Rae M. Goodridge Scholarship
American Bible Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
American Bible Society - William and Alice Brown Scholarship
American Bible Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
American Bible Society (ABS) Research Grant
American Bible Society
Amount
US $5,000 - US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with American Bible Society?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ABS describes work in the United States and internationally, including Bible access through a global network of Bible societies. Its 2025 grant dollars were concentrated in Pennsylvania (72%) and Georgia (16%), followed by Illinois (3%), North Carolina (2%), and California (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 27 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FLDC Phila, PA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $3,354,850 |
| Big Life International INC Blue Ridge, GA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $330,000 |
| Renew World Outreach org Stone Mountain, GA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $224,793 |
| Good News Center Inc Duluth, GA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $114,500 |
| The Timothy Initiative Inc Raleigh, NC | PROGRAM SERVICES | $100,000 |
| Josiah Venture NFP Wheaton, IL | PROGRAM SERVICES | $78,000 |
| Good News Publishers Wheaton, IL | PROGRAM SERVICES | $57,116 |
| Global Missions Comm Outreach Inc Ellenwood, GA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $55,000 |
| Talking Books International Inc Escondido, CA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $50,000 |
| Healing Africa Ministries Triangle, VA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $35,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $766,074,173 | $81,580,102 | $72,474,905 | $4,652,128 |
| 2024 | $767,562,170 | $91,285,928 | $81,310,983 | $3,782,463 |
| 2023 | $769,516,330 | $108,862,481 | $96,733,033 | $8,223,138 |
ABS says its finances are reviewed through annual independent audits and ongoing internal audits, in accordance with GAAP and IRS standards.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $766,074,173 | $767,562,170 | $769,516,330 |
| Revenue | $81,580,102 | $91,285,928 | $108,862,481 |
| Expenses | $72,474,905 | $81,310,983 | $96,733,033 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $44,649,052 | $56,429,494 | $63,079,094 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 5, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 4, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jennifer Holloran as chief executive officer. Listed directors include Ben Vangelder, Betty Uribe, David Willis, Deborah Garcia-Gratacos, Georganne Perkins, Helen Osman, Karen McDonald, and Katharine Barnhart. Elaine Allen is listed as treasurer.
American Bible Society is led by Jennifer Holloran, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 17 of 33 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer Holloran
Chief Executive Officer
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$357K (2025)
Nicole Johansson
Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John P. Greco
Senior Director
Managing Director → Senior Director - Bible.com, 2023
Senior Director - Bible.com → Senior Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$176K (2020) → $241K (2025)
John M. Mitchell
Director & Dbl
Director → Director - Digital Bible, 2023
Director - Digital Bible → Director & Dbl, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$172K (2021) → $196K (2025)
Nancy Karina Lucero
Senior Director
Director → Senior Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$177K (2021) → $188K (2025)
Robert Wonderling
Senior Director
Chief Adv Officer → Chief Advancement Officer, 2024
Chief Advancement Officer → Senior Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$97K (2023) → $145K (2025)
Leo Hurtado
Senior Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$190K (2024) → $196K (2025)
Melinda Trine
Director & Donor Stewardship
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$174K (2025)
Theresa Boyd
Senior Director, Fp & A
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$177K (2025)
David Willis
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Georganne Perkins
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen McDonald
Director
Director → Chairperson, 2021
Chairperson → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katharine Barnhart
Director
Vice Chairperson → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mario Paredes
Director
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tessie Devore
Director
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Garcia-Gratacos
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theo Nicolakis
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Houseal
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Osman
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betty Uribe
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Vangelder
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mario Kontomerkos
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James J. Puchy
Chief Administrative Officer
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Chief Administrative Officer, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$225K (2019) → $146K (2025)
Janet A. Grell
Head of Benefits Admn & Compli
Vice President → Head of Hr, 2022
Head of Hr → Head of Benefits Admn & Compli, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$192K (2019) → $218K (2025)
Nicholas Pagano
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President - Finance → Vice President Finance, 2022
Vice President Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$193K (2019) → $222K (2025)
Stephen Kao
Chief Legal Officer
Vice President & General Counsel → Chief Legal Officer, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$207K (2021) → $229K (2025)
David Bryce Allison
Chief Technology Officer
Executive Director → Chief Technology Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$182K (2022) → $208K (2025)
John F. Plake
Chief Innovation Officer
Chief Program Offcr → Chief Innovation Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$87K (2023) → $147K (2025)
Alberto Huerta
Chief Marketing Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$21K (2025)
Joe McIntosh
Chief Development Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$80K (2025)
Samuel Harrell
Chief Partnerships Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$180K (2025)
Mary E. Banks
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Allen
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (42)
- Former: Robert Briggs (2019–2024) — CEO
- Former: Whitney T Kuniholm (2019–2024) — Int.chief Ministry
- Former: Susan B Harper (2020–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Ash Noah (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: John D Clause (2021–2024) — Chief Ministry Advancement Officer
- Former: David Viehman (2022–2024) — Acting CEO
- Former: Frank Lofaro (2022–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Ovidio Alfaro (2022–2024) — Senior Vice President
- Former: David J Thomas (2023–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Gopal Rao Raveendran (2023–2024) — Senior Director
- Former: Darrin Podeschi (2024) — Interim CEO
- Former: Paul Cleckner (2024) — Interim CEO
- Former: Jeff Brown (2019–2023) — Interim CEO
- Former: Kenneth Volpert (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Patrick Murdock (2020–2023) — Former Vice President & Ministry Advancement
- Former: Charlie Shaver (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Nicole M. Martin (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Joyce Koo Dalrymple (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Anna Averling (2023) — Director Relationship Mkting
- Former: George Kovoor (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Mark Matlock (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Mark R. Wilson (2019–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Andrew L. Hood (2019–2021) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Herbert Lee Manis (2019–2021) — Former Director
- Former: Mark D. Forshaw (2019–2021) — Former Vice President
- Former: Nick Athens (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Philip H. Towner (2019–2021) — Former Director
- Former: Roy L. Peterson (2019–2021) — Former President
- Former: Angela Williams (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Ed Kobel (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Karen Louie (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Laura Dabkowski (2019–2020) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Marco Herrea (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Steven Kao (2019–2020) — Vice President & General Counsel
- Former: Theodore Nicolakis (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Yolanda Hegngi (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Charles Shaver (2020) — Director
- Former: Jason Malec (2019) — Director
- Former: Mark Hanson (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Nikolaos Garbidakis (2019) — Director
- Former: Peter Handal (2019) — Director
- Former: Thomas Bindley (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 101 N Independence Mall E Fl 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 309-0900
Website: https://americanbible.org
Frequently asked questions about American Bible Society
How much does American Bible Society give each year?
American Bible Society gave $4.7M across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.8M across 15 grants.
What is American Bible Society's typical grant size?
American Bible Society's median grant in 2025 was $14,888, and its average grant was $172,301, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Bible Society that year got $447K on average.
Where does American Bible Society give grants?
American Bible Society gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wheaton, IL (2 grants).
Does American Bible Society give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on American Bible Society's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Services" (27 grants).
Who are American Bible Society's largest grantees?
American Bible Society's largest 2025 grantees include FLDC ($3,354,850), Big Life International INC ($330,000) and Renew World Outreach org ($224,793), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Bible Society?
American Bible Society reported $766.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $81.6M.
What does American Bible Society fund?
ABS states its mission is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. Its work includes Bible translation and distribution, Scripture engagement, and Bible-based trauma healing. The organization also maintains a rare Scripture collection for scholarly research and educational exhibitions. The 2026 Innovation Grants are for research on interventions intended to increase Bible engageme…
How do I apply for a grant from American Bible Society?
ABS reported **27 grants totaling $4,652,128 in 2025**. The median grant was $14,888; awards ranged from $7,000 to $3,354,850. The largest listed awards included $3,354,850 to FLDC in Philadelphia, $330,000 to Big Life International in Georgia, $224,793 to Renew World Outreach in Georgia, $114,500 to Good News Center in Georgia, and $100,000 to The Timothy Initiative in North Carolina. The stated purpose for these grants was “program services.” ABS’s 2026 Innovation Grants support one-year rese…
What is American Bible Society's EIN?
American Bible Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1623885. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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American Bible Society down — hundreds of funders to go?