American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 45% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ASCRS FOUNATION IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS PHYSICIAN EDUCATION AND PROVIDES HUMANITARIAN CATARACT SURGERY IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD. THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS THE FOUNDATION WORKS TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF MODERN OPHTHALMOLOGY.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 45%
- Reserves
- 14.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 136% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1545% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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 August 31, 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 (3)
- $553,598 spent. CHARITABLE/HUMANITARIAN EYE CARE: SUPPORT FOUNDATION SPONSORED CHARITABLE AND HUMANITARIAN EYE CARE EFFORTS IN THE U.S. AND IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. THE ASCRS FOUNDATION PROVIDES PHYSICIAN EDUCATION BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY. IN THE U.S., THE FOUNDATION HELPS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTENT AT THE ASCRS ANNUAL MEETING, WHILE OVERSEAS THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS WETLAB TRAINING AND BOARD REVIEW COURSES FOR ETHIOPIA'S 5 RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS.
- $10,000 spent. RESIDENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS; TRADITIONALLY PROVIDES TEN 1,000 AWARDS ANNUALLY TO ENABLE OPHTHALMOLOGY RESIDENTS EXHIBITING EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE TO ATTEND THE ASCRS ANNUAL MEETING. THE AWARDS ARE MADE FOLLOWING A COMPETETIVE APPLICATION PROCESS. THE CATEGORIES FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE RESEARCH,PATIENT CARE, LEADERSHIP, AND EDUCATION.
- $20,000 spent. YOUNG EYE SURGEONS INTERNATIONAL SERVICE GRANTS: THESE GRANTS ARE INTENDED TO INSPIRE YOUNG EYE SURGEONS TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH GLOBAL EYE CARE ON A LONG-TERM BASIS AND AFFORDS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GRANTEE TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING TEACHING INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THE GRANTS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR GRANTEES TO INITIATE A GLOBAL SERVICE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CUSTOMIZED INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PLAN PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A YOUNG EYE SURGEON TO LEARN FIRST-HAND THE INTRICACIES BEHIND GLOBAL EYECARE EFFORTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on January 15, 2025 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on January 15, 2025.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.