The American Red Cross generates revenue from donated blood through various methods.

The American Red Cross, a globally recognized symbol of humanitarian services, operates at a high cost. In 2022, the organization generated $3.2 billion in revenue and spent $3 billion in expenses, as stated in their financial statements.

Contributions only make up about a third of the organization’s revenue.

The American Red Cross is typically the charity of choice when the White House and big corporations, including the NFL, Hollywood A-listers, raise money for disaster relief, according to Jake Johnston, a senior research associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

The majority of its revenue, just over $1.8 billion, is generated through its Biomedical services.

According to Laurie Styron, CEO and executive director of CharityWatch, the American Red Cross primarily collects blood from donors and then generates revenue by selling that blood to approximately 2,500 hospitals and medical facilities nationwide.

The American Red Cross stated that the pricing for a unit of red blood cells is confidential information and is determined by various factors such as purchase volumes, service levels, delivery requirements, and agreed-upon terms with hospitals.

The American Red Cross stated that it does not charge for the blood itself but is compensated by hospitals and transfusion centers for the expenses related to providing blood products.

The American Red Cross spends $2 billion on operating expenses, with $139 million more spent on collecting blood than the revenue generated from selling it.

Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator stated, "The process of drawing blood involves certification, preservation, cleanliness, and transportation, which all require funding."

The American Red Cross allocates and utilizes billions of dollars.