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New England College of Optometry

EIN 04-1591060 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OTHE MISSION OF NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY IS TO CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE SEE THE WORLD.WE DO SO BY:- INTEGRATING INNOVATIVE EDUCATION WITH EARLY AND DIVERSE CLINICAL EXPERIENCES TO PREPARE TODAY'S OPTOMETRISTS FOR TOMORROW'S OPTOMETRY.- ADVANCING THE FRONTIERS OF OPTOMETRIC KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND THEN APPLYING THIS KNOWLEDGE TO IMPROVE PATIENTS' LIVES WORLDWIDE.- CULTIVATING COMPASSIONATE CARE OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY, INTEGRITY, AND PROFESSIONALISM; INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY; EXPANDING ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE AND SPECIALTY OPTOMETRIC SERVICES; AND EMPHASIZING A SENSITIVITY TO THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE OF DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

Income
$31.9 million
Spending
$26.4 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
27.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
369
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$714,722, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 18 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $17.3 million spent. OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION (DIDACTIC INSTRUCTION AND CLINICAL TRAINING) - THE NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY IS AN INDEPENDENT GRADUATE SCHOOL THAT EDUCATES STUDENTS TO BECOME OUTSTANDING DOCTORS OF OPTOMETRY WHO EXEMPLIFY PROFESSIONALISM AND COMPASSION IN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY SERVE. THE CURRICULUM OPTIMIZES THE SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIDACTIC AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, UTILIZING BOTH TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES TO ENSURE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT IS STUDENT-CENTERED AND ENGAGING, AND REFLECTIVE OF THE EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF EYE CARE, HEALTHCARE, AND HEALTHCARE POLICY. 538 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED DURING THE YEAR ENDED 06/30/2025.
  2. $1.2 million spent. RESEARCH - THE COLLEGE ADVANCES THE FRONTIERS OF OPTOMETRIC KNOWLEDGE AND TRANSLATES THAT KNOWLEDGE TO IMPROVE PATIENTS' LIVES WORLDWIDE BY REDUCING VISION LOSS AND TRANSFORMING THE DELIVERY OF EYE CARE. NECO MAINTAINS AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION IN CLINICALLY RELEVANT AREAS OF RESEARCH INCLUDING MYOPIA, PEDIATRIC, LOW VISION REHABILITATION, AND VISION SCIENCE. FACULTY ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN RESEARCH SUPPORTED BY THE NIH, OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, FOUNDATIONS, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS, WHILE MENTORING GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROJECTS. IN FY2025 THE COLLEGE RECEIVED REVENUE FROM 21 GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, 9 OF WHICH WERE SPONSORED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
  3. $218,847 spent. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS - THE NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY IS COMMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF VISION AND EYE CARE GLOBALLY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN EUROPE, ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST. NECO FACULTY HAVE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN EXTENDING OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION TO OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING CHINA, ISRAEL, AND SPAIN IN FY2025.
  4. $28,891 spent. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION - THE COLLEGE PROVIDES PATIENT-CENTERED, CLINICALLY RELEVANT EDUCATION TO SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING FOR OPTOMETRISTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 January 1948.

    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 October 21, 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.