The Alcoholic Foundation

Alcoholics Anonymous material on walls at The Wilson House, 378 Village Street in downtown East Dorset, Vermont.

In 1938, Dr. Bob and Bill created The Alcoholic Foundation in New York, bringing in friends of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. as board members. Although they sought to raise significant funds, Rockefeller decided that large contributions might jeopardize the Fellowship. Despite this, the foundation opened a small office in New York to handle inquiries and distribute the Alcoholics Anonymous book, primarily funded by A.A. members. In 1940, Rockefeller organized a dinner to promote A.A., which further increased the number of inquiries.[34] The office became effective. Each request received a personal reply and a pamphlet, enhancing interest in the book. Consequently, many new groups were established, and by the end of 1940, A.A. membership had grown to 2,000.[25]

Media coverage leads to expansion

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In 1939, media coverage, particularly from The Cleveland Plain Dealer, generated a surge of interest and requests for help.[35] The Cleveland group, although small, successfully assisted many alcoholics, quickly growing from twenty to around 500 members.[25] A subsequent article in Liberty magazine resulted in a flood of requests for assistance, further expanding A.A.'s reach.[36] 1941, AA had 2,000 members in 50 cities and towns. After the article in The Saturday Evening Post on AA, membership tripled over the next year.[37] Interviews on American radio and favorable articles in US magazines led to increased big book sales and membership.[38]

As the growing Fellowship faced disputes over structure, purpose, authority, and publicity, Wilson began promoting the Twelve Traditions.[39] Bill W. first introduced his ideas on the Twelve Traditions in an April 1946 article for The Grapevine, titled “Twelve Suggested Points for A.A. Tradition.”[39] Recognizing the need for guidance as A.A. expanded, he aimed to preserve the organization’s unity and purpose. Bill described the input he received as a "welter of exciting and fearsome experience," which greatly influenced the development of the Traditions.[39] From December 1947 to November 1948, The Grapevine published the Traditions individually, and in 1950, the First International Convention in Cleveland officially adopted them.[39]

Creation of General Service Conference (GSR)

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In 1951, A.A.'s New York office expanded its activities, including public relations, support for new groups, services to hospitals and prisons, and cooperation with agencies in the field of alcoholism. The headquarters also published standard A.A. literature and oversaw translations, while the AA Grapevine gained substantial circulation. Despite these essential services, they were managed by a disconnected board of trustees, primarily linked to Bill and Dr. Bob.[25]

Recognizing the need for accountability, delegates from across the U.S. and Canada were convened, leading to the first meeting of the A.A. General Service Conference in 1951.[40] This successful gathering established direct oversight of A.A.'s trusteeship by the Fellowship itself, ensuring the organization’s future governance. At the 1955 conference in St. Louis, Missouri, Wilson relinquished stewardship of AA to the General Service Conference,[41] as AA had grown to millions of members internationally.[42]