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Hermann Eye Fund

EIN 74-2145014 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 9% 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

HERMANN EYE FUND PROVIDES FUNDING FOR: PATIENT SERVICES; INDIGENT CARE; TEACHING AND TRAINING RESIDENTS, FELLOWS, INTERNS, MEDICAL STUDENTS, NURSES, OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANTS, ALLIED HEALTH PERSONNEL, PRACTICING PHYSICIANS AND OPTOMETRISTS; AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

Income
$913,870
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
9%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
7

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

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 196% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    9% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 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. $248,232 spent. HERMANN EYE FUND PROVIDES FUNDING FOR INDIGENT PATIENT CARE TO PATIENTS WITH EYE PROBLEMS.
  2. HERMANN EYE FUND PROVIDES FUNDS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY TO AID IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND PATIENT EDUCATION AND CARE.
  3. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH OF EYE-RELATED SUBJECTS. THE RESEARCH IS DONE CONTINUALLY WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER AT HOUSTON.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 2025.

    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 March 1981.

    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.