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Southern California Eye Institute

EIN 84-2323097 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 48% 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

To reduce the burden of eye disease and blinding conditions in children and aging-populations in and surrounding cities of Los Angeles County through patient care, research and education.

Income
$922,306
Spending
$619,318
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
3
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$20,015, treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $262,464 spent. Ophthalmic Research Support for ophthalmic research projects comes from private donors, from National Institutes of Health through the University of Pennsylvania. Temporary staff were hired for additional help with data collection and data entry for these research projects. From these research endeavors, our physician-researchers published seven manuscripts in academic journals throughout the year. Finally, our physician-scientists attended national and international academic conferences to present findings from these research studies.
  2. $24,458 spent. Ophthalmic Technician Education Program (OTEP): The Ophthalmic Technician Education Program (OTEP) launched its first cohort in 2021, with students graduating from the Southern California Eye Institute's Ophthalmic Technician Training Program in 2022. The 2024 cohort included seven students who participated in 81 lectures, totaling 162 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, each student completed a minimum of 750 clinical training hours across the Institute's main clinic, satellite offices, and affiliated private practices. Upon completion of the program, students are fully prepared to sit for the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) exam to become Certified Ophthalmic Technicians. As part of its commitment to excellence, the program underwent a site visit from the International Accreditation Commission (ICA) during the accreditation process. OTEP is made possible through the generous support of private donors, Fidelity Charitable and the Fox Family Foundation.
  3. $8,771 spent. Community Health Ophthalmic Screenings. The Southern California Eye Institute continued to host health fairs for underserved communities, and veterans in and around the Los Angeles-area. These eye screenings and community health education fairs were held to give back to the people who need it most. Support for this project is from generous support of private donors and Fidelity Charitable.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2019.

    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.