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Macular Degeneration Association

EIN 27-3025707 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Macular Degeneration Association (MDA)is to find a cure for macular degeneration. We disseminate research findings that have the potential to produce new treatments and present educational programs to help those affected by this disease.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
42.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
7
Highest pay
$397,516, chairman of the board

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% 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 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $916,976 spent. The Macular Degeneration Association produces newsletters quarterly. The information provided is for those who have age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, geographic atrophy, dry eye disease, and cataracts. The newsletter provides educational information, new research, new drug therapies, clinical trials, and treatments. The newsletters go out to 49,200 doctors, patients, families, and caregivers. Brochures were designed and provided to doctors to help their patients navigate macular degeneration and find resources that can help. The Macular Degeneration Association has created a state-of-the-art website to provide an extensive number of resources and information to help those affected by macular degeneration and additional diseases that can affect macular degeneration. This website includes educational videos that are produced for patients, family members and caregivers. The website is ADA-compliant.
  2. $730,512 spent. The Macular Degeneration Association (MDA) created informative and necessary educational programs for those affected by macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, geographic atrophy, and dry eye disease. These programs not only provide information for the person affected by these eye diseases but also bring precautionary measures to their family members and helpful information for their caregivers. All programs feature experts in the field of retina or optometry providing information about risk factors, genetic predisposition, proper diagnosis, new treatment options, research information, clinical trials, and new drug advances. Participants are given a chance to interact with the doctor and ask questions. They are also able to share their challenges and successes with the other attendees.
  3. $85,000 spent. In 2025, MDA funded research to Orange County Research for their project on Combination Therapy in Wet AMD and Geographic Atrophy, led by Rajiv Rathod, M.D. A donation was made to Good Days to help patients cover medication costs essential for preserving their vision. A grant was given to Women Make Movies for their film Seeing Stars the first fiction film about macular degeneration which is positioned to bring worldwide attention to the epidemic of vision loss, expanding support for services and retinal research that will lead to sight-saving treatments for millions of people.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 2010.

    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.