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Dr Bobs Home

EIN 34-1461210 · Akron, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO MAINTAIN, RESTORE AND PRESERVE THE PROPERTY AT 855 ARDMORE AVE. WHICH WAS THE FAMILY HOME OF PHYSICIAN ROBERT HOLBROOK SMITH, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS DR. BOB, ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA). THIS HISTORIC SITE IN AKRON, OHIO IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THIS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN FELLOWSHIP, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF NUMEROUS OTHER 12-STEP PROGRAMS THAT ARE IMPROVING THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. SECOND, OUR ONGOING MISSION IS TO HELP ALCOHOLICS BY PRESERVING THE ATMOSPHERE OF ACCEPTANCE WHERE EARLY MEMBERS ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED THEIR SOBRIETY. THIS PREVAILING ATTITUDE IS SIMPLY EXPRESSED IN OUR GREETING, "WELCOME HOME." THIRD, WE EDUCATE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BEYOND ON HOW DR. BOB'S HOME PLAYED A PART IN THE FORMATION OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND THE MANNER IN WHICH ALCOHOLICS WERE HELPED IN THE EARLY DAYS.

Income
$276,203
Spending
$223,094
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
65.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
2
Volunteers
65

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 65.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $163,633 spent. MUSEUM: THE ORGANIZATION DEPLOYS PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE HISTORICAL TOURS OF DR. BOBS HOME. IT IS IN THIS HOME AT 855 ARDMORE AVE. IN AKRON THAT DR. BOB AND BILL WILSON DEVELOPED THE PRINCIPLES OF AA AND RECRUITED THE FIRST MEMBERS OF AA. MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHOSE STORIES ARE FOUND IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, AA'S "BIG BOOK," USED THE SMITH HOME AS A HALF-WAY HOUSE TO RECOVERY. THE HOUSE HAS WELCOMED VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD. OUR MUSEUM IS OPEN EVERY DAY (NOON-3 P.M.) EXCEPT ON CHRISTMAS.
  2. $14,702 spent. FOUNDERS' DAY - WE HOST SEVERAL EVENTS AROUND THE ANNUAL ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS FOUNDER'S DAY IN JUNE TO CELEBRATE THE DATE AA-FOUNDER DR. BOB TOOK HIS LAST DRINK.
  3. GIFT SHOP: OUR GIFT SHOP SELLS DR. BOB'S AND AA MERCHANDISE AS WELL AS PIECES OF EDUCATIONAL AA HISTORICAL LITERATURE IN SUPPORT OF THE HOUSE.
  4. HOME PRESERVATION AND ARCHIVES: WE MAINTAIN, RESTORE AND PRESERVE DR. BOB'S HOME. THE HOME WAS NAMED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK ON OCT. 31, 1985, NAMED A STATE HISTORICAL SITE BY GOVERNOR RICHARD CELESTE. ON OCTOBER 17, 2012 THE HOME WAS NAMED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. ADDITIONALLY, WE ACTIVELY SEEK ITEMS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO DR. BOB'S HOME AND THE FOUNDING OF AA AND SEEK TO PRESERVE AND DISPLAY THESE ITEMS.
  5. HOME PRESERVATION AND ARCHIVES: WE MAINTAIN, RESTORE AND PRESERVE DR. BOB'S HOME. THE HOME WAS NAMED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK ON OCT. 31, 1985, NAMED A STATE HISTORICAL SITE BY GOVERNOR RICHARD CELESTE. ON OCTOBER 17, 2012 THE HOME WAS NAMED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. ADDITIONALLY, WE ACTIVELY SEEK ITEMS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO DR. BOB'S HOME AND THE FOUNDING OF AA AND SEEK TO PRESERVE AND DISPLAY THESE ITEMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.