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Foundation for Vision Research

EIN 81-5141432 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FUND RESEARCH DEVOTED TO THE VISION SCIENCES INCLUDING INVESTIGATION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAUSES OF VISION LOSS. TO CONDUCT RESEARCH TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND VISION LOSS AND DEVELOP TREATMENTS TO ADDRESS THOSE CONDITIONS. TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER FUNDS AND ASSETS FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"), OR ANY CORRESPONDING PROVISION OF ANY SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE MAKING OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT QUALIFY AS EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS UNDER CODE SECTION 501(C)(3). TO CONDUCT EDUCATIONAL EVENTS DIRECTED TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC TO BRING ATTENTION TO VISION THREATENING EYE DISEASES AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO POTENTIAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

Income
$931,107
Spending
$743,053
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
22.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
10
Highest pay
$977,727, board member

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 6 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

    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 October 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 (1)
  1. $728,345 spent. IN FURTHERENCE OF ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES VISION RESEARCH TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF VISION LOSS AND TO DEVELOP TREATMENTS TO ADDRESS THOSE CONDITIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 November 6, 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 October 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 January 2018.

    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 November 4, 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.