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American Glaucome Society Inc

EIN 22-2765077 · San Francisco, CA

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

AGS IS THE PREEMINENT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE WITH GLAUCOMA AND THOSE AT RISK BY LEADING THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH, HEALTH CARE ACCESS, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
32.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.2 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 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 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.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $873,865 spent. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN GLAUCOMA SOCIETY - THE AGS HOLDS AN ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING THAT DRAWS ON AVERAGE OF 950 GLAUCOMA PROFESSIONALS.
  2. $200,000 spent. RESEARCH GRANTS - AGS PROGRAMS INCLUDE AWARDING RESEARCH GRANTS TO YOUNG AND MID-CAREER PHYSICIAN SCIENTISTS; ON AVERAGE FOUR GRANTS ARE AWARDED. THE AGS ALSO HAS A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF PHYSICIAN SCIENTISTS. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY A CORPORATE SUPPORTER OR A FOUNDATION AND ITS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID TO YOUNG GLAUCOMATOLOGISTS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS IN THEIR EARLY CAREER PATH; SIX TO TEN AWARDS ARE GRANTED ANNUALLY DEPENDING ON FUNDING.
  3. $120,453 spent. OPHTHALMOLOGY GLAUCOMA - OPHTHALMOLOGY GLAUCOMA PROVIDES A STIMULATING FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF CLINICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES OF GREATEST CONCERN TO CLINICIANS WHO CARE FOR GLAUCOMA PATIENTS. EACH ISSUE PRESENTS ORIGINAL ARTICLES ON NEW APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSIS, INNOVATIONS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPY AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE, AND BASIC SCIENCE ADVANCES THAT IMPACT CLINICAL PRACTICE.
  4. $309,596 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE GRANTS TO OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH GLAUCOMA AND ISSUES OF THE EYE, MEMBERSHIP DUES ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS BOARD APPROVED SPECIAL PROJECTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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