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Southern Council of Optometrists

EIN 58-0867559 · Atlanta, GA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE EYE CARE WORLD-WIDE THROUGH EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS.TO PRESENT AN ANNUAL EDUCATION CONGRESS (HEREINAFTER THE "CONGRESS") FOR EYE CARE PROVIDERS AND THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY AND TO HOLD SUCH EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS AS MAY SEEM FROM TIME TO TIME ADVISABLE. TO PUBLISH, OR CAUSE TO BE PUBLISHED, EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL RELATIVE TO THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY IN THE FORM OF PAMPHLETS, BOOKLETS, OTHER MEDIA, ETC.TO DISSEMINATE, OR CAUSE TO BE DISSEMINATED, TO THE PUBLIC OR INTERESTED PARTIES, SUCH INFORMATION REGARDING OPTOMETRY AS MAY SEEM DESIRABLE AND TO THE PUBLIC BENEFIT. TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND WITH MUNICIPAL, STATE AND NATIONAL AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, TOWARD THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Employees
4
Volunteers
72
Highest pay
$221,867, executive director

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

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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. SECO INTERNATIONAL - EVERY YEAR, SECO INTERNATIONAL HOSTS A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EDUCATION CONGRESS AND YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION COMMUNITY (SECO UNIVERSITY), ATTRACTING EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS AND VENDORS FROM BOTH THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EYE CARE COMMUNITIES. THESE EDUCATION OFFERINGS SERVE AS AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ATTENDEES TO EXPAND THEIR PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, DISCOVER THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN EYE CARE TECHNOLOGY, AND FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH ENGAGING WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND PRESENTATIONS.
  2. WEBSITE PROVIDES ACCESS TO CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR OPTOMETRISTS, ALLIED OPHTHALMIC PROFESSIONALS ALONG WITH MULTI-MEDIA POSTERS.
  3. OUTREACH - THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP SECO IS ASSISTING INTERNATIONAL OPTOMETRY ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PRODUCTION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO MEET THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OPTOMETRISTS AND ALLIED OPHTHALMIC PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE ARMED FORCES OPTOMETRIC SOCIETY (AFOS), ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS (UK), FEDERACION COLOMBIANA DE OPTOMETRAS (FEDOPTO), SOUTH AFRICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION (SAOA), TRINIDAD & TOBAGO OPTOMETRISTS ASSOCIATION, AND COLEGIO DE OPTOMETRISTAS DE COSTA RICA. SECO INTERNATIONAL HAS EVOLVED INTO A PROMINENT PLATFORM FOR EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS TO CONNECT, LEARN, AND GROW.
  4. THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE - PROVIDES FEEDBACK FOR THE OVERALL STUDENT PROGRAM FOR THE SECO CONGRESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.

    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? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 July 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 June 1964.

    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.