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Passes our checks

Center for Eye Research Inc

EIN 04-2982658 · Waltham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CERE CONDUCTS MEDICAL RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND PROVIDES EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. CERE OCCASIONALLY FUNDS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NON-VISION RELATED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS.

Income
$124,309
Spending
$150,389
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
117 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 57%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (medical research, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 117.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (medical research, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $100,000 spent. RESEARCH STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THE CENTER FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF EYE DISEASE, SPECIFICALLY GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, MACULAR DEGENERATION, LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY, AND DISEASES OF THE RETINA AND CORNEA. IN ADDITION TO RESEARCH AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES, THE CENTER SUPPORTS PRO BONO EYE CARE TO PATIENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD TREATMENT.CERE CONDUCTS INTERNATIONAL EYE CLINICS IN REMOTE AREAS OF SOUTH EAST ASIA AND PROVIDES SURGICAL TRAINING TO LOCAL PHYSICIANS. IT ALSO PROVIDES MEDICAL SUPPLIES, INSTRUMENTS AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, OR THE FUNDS FOR SUCH ITEMS, TO HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN THESE REMOTE AREAS. CERE ALSO PERFORMS EYE CARE RESEARCH IN SOUTH EAST ASIA.CERE CONDUCTS MEDICAL RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND PROVIDES EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. CERE OCCASIONALLY FUNDS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NON-VISION RELATED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS.

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 November 6, 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 March 1988.

    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 November 4, 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.