Who Owns AARP?

@nctarheel Thank you for taking the time to ask! AARP has no owners as it is a nonprofit organization. 

AARP.org is a 501(c)(4) - the IRC defines this as Civic leagues, social welfare organizations and local associations of employees, created to promote community welfare for charitable, educational or recreational purposes.

Since they are organized under this structure, there aren't any real "owner" like a private business has owners.  As with all nonprofits of whatever type, they are formed by somebody that sees a need and takes actions.   The actual AARP founder was a teacher.   They file for a nonprofit corporation structure to set it up legally with a name, get their clearance for non-profit type status with the IRS and then begin to work towards the mission.  Usually, in the beginning, the main workers are volunteers who get it off the ground.  Ethel Percy Andrus was the Founder of AARP - The History tells a lot about how it all came about.  

The bylaws of the organization determine how the organization is ran - like how the Board of Directors are chosen. I think you can find AARP.org bylaws in this area:  

AARP.org - Policybook

Many times, Boards are self-perpetuating, meaning the current Board will nominate and vote for new Board Members.  Sometimes state/federal laws legislate certain things for some non-profit types especially the ones that have financial exposure - like Credit Unions; don't know of any need with this AARP type.

Once a non-profit gets big enough and has an income stream which could be many steams as long as it stays focused on the mission, the BOD can begin to hire and pay staff.  Of course, AARP.org is big enough to have a good income steam and several well-paid staff - once a non-profit gets that big the actual running of the organization is left to the top executives.  Large non-profits have basically the same organizational structure as a regular profit corporation - CEO, CFO, COO, etc. From there, they can have other heads of different departments to keep the organization running smoothly.

Here I am only speaking about AARP.org - AARP Foundation is another non-profit entity which is set up as a charitable organization 501(c)(3).  And AARP Services, Inc. is the profitable arm which does all the finding and negotiations with vendors that offer services or something to AARP members.  Each works with the other for their respective benefit.

This isn't the kind of organization where members have a voice in the running and decision-making of the organization.  Although, I am sure they would listen to any member about a concern, desire or even a suggestion to help further the mission.  Membership gets you exactly what they say it gives you - services, various discounts [although everybody has to be their own judge of those], this place, a chance to volunteer at the local level to help further the mission.  

You can find a lot of information about all of this here:  AARP:  ABOUT AARP

Current BOD, the Executive Team, Volunteers and from there various current causes and actions they are taking to further the mission are also covered from that page.  

But who "owns" AARP - that really does not compute.

This forum board (the AARP community) is a perk - nothing more, nothing less.  It is a way to keep members, a way to entice new members, perhaps monitor what folks are saying about them or something else, something for people to do to stay engaged so maybe it is even part of the overall mission.

You and I are customers - if there is something that you want to complain about - you go up, and up and up the hierarchy with the complaint - but as with any LARGE organization of this type of structure - number can talk louder than one person especially with an organization as big and as diverse as this one.

Always enjoy your questions and comments.