Suny College of Optometry Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS AND SUPPORT VISION CARE SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS WELL AS FUNDING FOR RESEARCH.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 26.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 28
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. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 26.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $603,149 spent. STUDENT SUPPORT - THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACADEMIC MERIT AND FINANCIAL NEED HELPING TO ATTRACT HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS TO A MUCH-NEEDED HEALTHCARE PROFESSION. ADDITIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT COMES IN THE FORM OF PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES LED BY STUDENTS AND THE STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE AT SUNY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY.
- $208,956 spent. RESEARCH & CAMPUS SUPPORT THROUGH A DONOR-DIRECTED ENDOWMENT, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS VISION RESEARCH PRIMARILY CONDUCTED AT THE COLLEGE INCLUDING EXPOSURE TO RELEVANT RESEARCH SCIENTISTS AND PROJECTS, START-UP OR SEED FUNDING FOR SMALL RESEARCH PROJECTS, AND HELPS ENSURE SHARED EQUIPMENT AND OTHER RESOURCES NEEDED FOR A ROBUST RESEARCH ENTERPRISE. THE REMAINING FUNDS PROVIDE GENERALIZED SUPPORT TO THE CAMPUS-COMMUNITY RANGING FROM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO KEY ACTIVITIES THAT CREATE THE LEARNING AND TEACHING ENVIRONMENT NEEDED FOR A TOP-TIER OPTOMETRY SCHOOL.
- $202,264 spent. CLINICAL SUPPORT WE PROVIDE THE RESOURCES NEEDED IN THE UNIVERSITY EYE CENTER TO PROVIDE FREE AND LOW-COST EYE CARE TO THOSE IN NEED AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TRAINING SERVICES TO ENSURE TOP QUALITY CARE. ON AVERAGE 1,400 TO 1,600 VISITS REQUIRE CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE TO ACCESS AND RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED.
- $126,400 spent. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS: THROUGH CONTRACT AND SERVICE AGREEMENTS THE COLLEGE AND FOUNDATION PARTNER WITH OTHER SCHOOLS AND HIGHER LEARNING ENTITIES TO PROVIDE OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION, SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND SPECIALTIES, EXTERNSHIPS, AND CLINICIAN CULTURAL COMPETENCY PROGRAMS. THESE ENRICH THE COLLEGE'S CLINICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.[
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1957.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.