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Fred Hollows Foundation USA

EIN 82-2851329 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceIndependently evaluatedHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION IS AN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION WORKING TOWARDS ENDING AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS FOR HUMAN BEINGS AFFLICTED WITH BLINDNESS AND RELATED SIGHT PROBLEMS WORLDWIDE.

Income
$16.5 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$299,914, public officer

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

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 76% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 701% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Independently evaluated. An independent evaluator has assessed its work and recommends it.

  • The Life You Can Save: Listed among its recommended charities. See the evaluation Checked September 29, 2026.
Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $3.0 million spent. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES, THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS AND SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO END AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (I) SURGICAL AND OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURES, TREATMENTS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES TO TREAT OR PREVENT BLINDING CONDITIONS, (II) EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS RELATING TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF EYE DISORDERS, (III) RESEARCH RELATING TO, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL SOLUTIONS FOR, IMPROVING, PRESERVING AND RESTORING EYE HEALTH, AND (V) OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND OTHER CONVENINGS, AS WELL AS OUTREACH AND AWARENESS RAISING AMONG HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND (VI) THE DEVELOPMENT OF COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS, AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES, ALL WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE SUFFERING SIGHT DISORDERS AROUND THE WORLD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 February 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.