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Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation

EIN 43-1036995 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 462 cents.

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

What it says it does

THE VISION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO BE THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP MODEL FOR HOW EYE BANKING AND CHARITABLE VISION SERVICES CAN MOST EFFECTIVELY SERVE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO BE AFFILIATED WITH THE MISSOURI LIONS BUT MAINTAINS ITS OWN SEPARATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (DIRECTORS). THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS BUSINESS IN MISSOURI, KANSAS AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS. SUPPORT AND REVENUES ARE PREDOMINANTLY EARNED FROM PROCESSING FEES AND PUBLIC SUPPORT.

Income
$11.0 million
Spending
$10.9 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
169
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$429,695, ceo

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 462 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 36% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (2)
  1. $9.4 million spent. EYE BANK OPERATIONS - THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS EYE BANK OPERATIONS IN MISSOURI, KANSAS AND ILLINOIS TO RETRIEVE, PROCESS AND DISTRIBUTE THE HIGHEST QUALITY DONOR EYE TISSUE TO CORNEAL SURGEONS AND THEIR PATIENTS. PART OF ITS EYE BANK OPERATIONS INCLUDES ITS DONOR SERVICES CENTER WHICH IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING THE QUALITY AND CARE NEEDED TO HELP EYE AND TISSUE BANKS FACILITATE EACH DONOR'S GIFT BY SPEAKING WITH MEDICAL FACILITIES AND APPROACHING DONOR FAMILIES FOR CONSENT.
  2. $86,200 spent. SUPPORT OF OCULAR RESEARCH AND OUTREACH - THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING EYE TISSUE TO RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT WORK TO DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF EYE DISEASE AND TO FIND CURES FOR THESE DEBILITATING CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PERFORM OCULAR RESEARCH OR OUTREACH REGARDING OCULAR DISEASES.

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

  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 June 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 March 1973.

    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.