Soka Gakkai’s material base rests chiefly on voluntary offerings from its members, understood as expressions of gratitude rather than compulsory dues. These contributions are supplemented by income from the sale of publications such as books, study materials, and newspapers, as well as revenue generated through cultural and educational activities that are aligned with its broader mission. Some descriptions also note investment income derived from accumulated assets, reflecting the way long-term stewardship of resources supports ongoing religious and cultural work. Across these streams, the organization emphasizes that financial giving should not exceed a member’s means, preserving the primacy of inner transformation over material sacrifice.

Organizationally, Soka Gakkai presents a distinctly lay, hierarchical structure that nonetheless seeks to root itself in small-scale, face-to-face gatherings. At the most immediate level, practitioners meet in neighborhood or local discussion groups, which are then organized into districts, chapters, regions, and larger territorial or national units. This layered pattern appears both within Japan and in the various national bodies that form part of Soka Gakkai International, with an international headquarters in Tokyo providing overarching coordination. Leadership flows through clearly defined roles—president, vice presidents, general directors, and regional and local leaders—who guide activities, study, and community engagement.

Alongside this geographic and hierarchical ordering, the movement also structures itself through functional divisions that reflect different stages and circumstances of life. Men’s, Women’s, Youth, and Student Divisions create spaces in which practitioners can explore Buddhist practice in relation to their particular responsibilities and aspirations. Supporting these divisions are formal bodies such as a board of directors for governance and a study department for doctrinal matters, as well as cultural and peace research institutes and educational institutions inspired by its ideals. In this way, the organizational form mirrors the teaching it upholds: personal inner change radiating outward through a carefully coordinated yet fundamentally lay community, sustained by the shared offerings and efforts of its members.