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American Ophthalmological Society

EIN 41-1235482 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE AMERICAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, TO ADDRESS ESSENTIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE, AND TO ADVANCE THE ART AND SCIENCE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY.

Income
$268,174
Spending
$644,437
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
-42.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$50,000, executive vp / editor

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

Weak: 30 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 284% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 140% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs.

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: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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, 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. $388,386 spent. THE AMERICAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION FORMED PRIMARILY TO PROMOTE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND THE ART AND SCIENCE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. THE EDUCATION MISSION IS SERVED BY AOS'S ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING WHICH IS ATTENDED BY APPROXIMATELY 235 MEMBERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN THE DELIVERY OF HIGH-QUALITY PATIENT EYE CARE. THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING WAS HELD MAY 16-18, 2024 IN LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA.
  2. $30,534 spent. COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE HELD TWICE A YEAR TO DISCUSS, MAKE DECISIONS, AND CONDUCT BUSINESS REGARDING THE AOS.
  3. $4,390 spent. THE KENNEDY-SNELL FUND WAS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF OPHTHALMIC SCIENCE AND ART.
  4. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDES MEMBERSHIP DUES ADMINISTRATION.

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 June 1974.

    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.

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.