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Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation

EIN 94-2733047 · Pantego, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY AND RELATED SCIENCES AMONG OPHTHLAMOLOGISTS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, SEMINARS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Income
$356,530
Spending
$124,119
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 65% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (49)
  1. $3,000 spent. PAN-AMERICAN RESEARCH DAY - THIS TAKES PLACE ONE DAY BEFORE THE ARVO MEETING EVERY YEAR AND OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE YOUNG RESEARCHERS TO PRESENT THE LATEST INFORMATION AND RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON PARTICIPANTS FROM THE AMERICAS.
  2. ARVO/PAAO FELLOW ARE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE AWARDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PRESENTED OR PUBLISHED RESEARCH PAPERS WHO WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR WORK AT THE ANNUAL ARVO MEETING. FINANCIAL NEED MST BE DEMONSTRATED.
  3. $40,000 spent. GILLINGHAM FELLOWSHIP IS A FELLOWSHIP OFFERED TO QUALIFIED LATIN AMERICAN CANDIDATES IN A VARIETY OF SUB SPECIALTY INTEREST AT VARIOUS INSTITUTES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
  4. LO MEJOR DE LA AAO EN ESPANOL - THIS IS A COURSE THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1986 AND IS GIVEN ANNUALLY AFTER THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY MEETING THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE EDUCATION OF THE AAO MEETING IN SPANISH.
  5. TIM SEAR SCHOLARSHIP: PRESENTED TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS WHO HAVE PRESENTED PAPERS OR PUBLISHED DURING THEIR TRAINING PERIOD AND SHOW THE POTENTIAL TO BE A FUTURE PROFESSOR OR LEADER IN OPHTHALMOLOGY.
  6. $3,250 spent. ED-EMERGING COUNTRIES PROGRAMS FOCUS GROUP TO PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION THROUGH TRAINING COURSES, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, LECTURES AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN LATIN AMERICA.
  7. LIONS/PAAO PREVENT BLINDNESS PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO STIMULATE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS PROGRAMS IN THE AMERICAS.
  8. ADVANCEMENT OF OPHTHALMIC CARE AND TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF PREVENTABLE BLINDNESS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, SEMINARS AND PUBLICATIONS.
  9. HAITI RELIEF PROJECT - THE PAAO ORGANIZED THE HAITI RELIEF PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE THAT TOOK PLACE ON JANUARY 12, 2010. THE FIRST PHASE WAS TO PROVIDE THE HAITIAN SOCIETY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WITH FIRST RESPONSE EMERGENCY KITS. FOR THE SECOND PHASE, THE PAAO HAITI RELIEFT PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS.
  10. KAYSER GLOBAL AWARD IDENTIFIES LEADING VISUAL SCIENTISTS IN THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATIVE CLINICAL AND BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH IN OPHTHALMOLOGY AND RECOGNIZES WORK THAT HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT NEW CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IMPROVING VISION AND PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS.
  11. THE TROUTMAN VERONNEAU PRIZE RECOGNIZES THE BEST WORK SUBMITTED BY AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST UNDER THE AGE OF 45, ALTERNATING BETWEEN CORNEA AND STRABISMUS AND PRESENTS THE WINNING PAPER AT THE PAAO CONGRESSES.
  12. BFB AWARD - ADVANCEMENT OF OPHTHALMIC CARE AND TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF PREVENTABLE BLINDNESS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, SEMINARS AND PUBLICATIONS.
  13. SOPANOP SCHOLARSHIPS PROMOTE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ADVANCED TRAINING IN OCULOPLASTICS.
  14. $38,434 spent. ALLOCATION OF OVERHEAD EXPENSES TO PROGRAM SERVICES
  15. LIANA & MARCELO VENTURA FELLOWSHIP PROMOTES CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ADVANCED TRAINING WITH RESPECT TO OPHTHALMOLOGICAL DISEASE IN THE RETINA AND VITREOUS THAT AFFECT THE PEDICATRIC POPULATION IN A CLINICAL SETTING AT THE PEDIATRIC RETINA DEPARTMENT OF BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE OR ANOTHER EYE INSTITUTE.
  16. THE AREVALO YO PRIZE RECOGNIZES AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED CARING & SERVICE IN THEIR HOME COMMUNITY ABOVE & BEYOND WHAT IS REQUIRED OR EXPECTED. THE PRIZE RECOGNIZES A YOUNG OPHTHALMOLOGIST PAAO MEMBER WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED PROMISE IN ACADEMICS & HAS PUBLISHED & PPRESENTED RELATIVELY EXTENSIVELY FOR HIS/HER AGE & HAS PARTICIPATED IN LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.
  17. $1,000 spent. RICH & CHITA ABBOTT AWARD PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR EACH PAAOS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COURSE BY RECOGNIZING AND PRESENTING A PRIZE TO THE LDP PARTICIPANT FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PROJECT.
  18. ENRIQUE GRAUE WICERS AWARD FOR TRANSORMATION LEADERSHIP RECOGNIZES OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, WHO THROUGH A TRAJECTORY OF SEVERAL YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, HAVE BEEN KEY IN THE CREATION OR TRANSFORMATION OF OPHTHALMOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS, HOSPITALS, AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS.
  19. PYOTT FOUNDATION CONGRESS AWARD - RECOGNIZES YOUTH OPHTHALMOLOGISTS IN SCIENCE RESEARCH IN OPHTHALMOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF RETINA.
  20. BRENNAN LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP - THE PURPOSE OF THE MICHAEL & HELEN BRENNAN INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID TO YOUNG LEADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PAAOS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COURSE.
  21. VISITING PROFESSORS SCHOLARSHIPS - PROVIDES TRAVEL AWARDS TO LECTURE AT NATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGICAL MEETINGS PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF OPHTHALMIC CARE AND TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF PREVENTABLE BLINDNESS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND BEYOND.
  22. THE BRONWYN BATEMAN AWARD FOR WOMENS LEADERSHIP IN OPHTHALMOLOGY - HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF A FEMAIL OPHTHALMOLOGIST IN THE AREAS OF LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONTRIBUTIONS. THE RECIPIENT RECEIVES A PRIZE AT THE PAAOS BIENNIAL CONGRESSES.
  23. ALVARO RODRIGUEZ TRAVEL AWARD - RECOGNIZES THE BEST WORK SUBMITTED BY AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST UNDER THE AGE OF 45, IN GLAUCOMA AND RETINA. THE WINNER RECEIVES A PRIZE AND PRESENTS THE WINNING PAPER AT THE PAAO CONGRESSES.
  24. BARRAQUER NAMED LECTURE - THE BARRAQUER NAMED LECTURE WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BARRAQUER INSTITUTE AND ALUMNI TO HONOR PROFESSOR JOSE BERROCAL MONER. THE BARRAQUER NAMED LECTURE IS PRESENTED AT THE BIENNIAL PAAO CONGRESSES.
  25. THE JOSE AND PURU BERROCAL BEST PAPER PRIZE - RECOGNIZES THE BEST WORK SUBMITTED BY A YOUNG OPHTHALMOLOGIST, IN D RETINA. THE WINNER RECEIVES A PRIZE AND PRESENTS THE WINNING PAPER AT THE PAAO CONGRESSES.
  26. INDIVIDUAL RESTRICTED DONATION
  27. LO MEJOR DE LA AAO EN ESPANOL - THIS IS A COURSE THAT WAS 0. 0. 1000.
  28. TIM SEAR SCHOLARSHIP: PRESENTED TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS 0. 0. 0.
  29. ED-EMERGING COUNTRIES PROGRAMS FOCUS GROUP TO PROVIDE 3250. 0. 3000.
  30. LIONS/PAAO PREVENT BLINDNESS PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM 0. 0. 0.
  31. ADVANCEMENT OF OPHTHALMIC CARE AND TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE 0. 0. 0.
  32. HAITI RELIEF PROJECT - THE PAAO ORGANIZED THE HAITI 0. 0. 0.
  33. KAYSER GLOBAL AWARD IDENTIFIES LEADING VISUAL SCIENTISTS 0. 0. 25000.
  34. THE TROUTMAN VERONNEAU PRIZE RECOGNIZES THE BEST WORK 0. 0. 0.
  35. BFB AWARD - ADVANCEMENT OF OPHTHALMIC CARE AND TO DECREASE THE 0. 0. 0.
  36. SOPANOP SCHOLARSHIPS PROMOTE CONTINUING EDUCATION 0. 0. 0.
  37. ALLOCATION OF OVERHEAD EXPENSES TO PROGRAM SERVICES 38434. 0. 0.
  38. LIANA & MARCELO VENTURA FELLOWSHIP PROMOTES CONTINUING 0. 0. 0.
  39. THE AREVALO YO PRIZE RECOGNIZES AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS 0. 0. 11000.
  40. RICH & CHITA ABBOTT AWARD PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR EACH 1000. 0. 5500.
  41. ENRIQUE GRAUE WICERS AWARD FOR TRANSORMATION LEADERSHIP 0. 0. 0.
  42. PYOTT FOUNDATION CONGRESS AWARD - RECOGNIZES YOUTH 0. 0. 0.
  43. BRENNAN LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP - THE PURPOSE OF THE 0. 0. 1250.
  44. VISITING PROFESSORS SCHOLARSHIPS - PROVIDES TRAVEL 0. 0. 250.
  45. THE BRONWYN BATEMAN AWARD FOR WOMENS LEADERSHIP IN 0. 0. 250.
  46. ALVARO RODRIGUEZ TRAVEL AWARD - RECOGNIZES THE BEST 0. 0. 300.
  47. BARRAQUER NAMED LECTURE - THE BARRAQUER NAMED LECTURE WAS 0. 0. 41615.
  48. THE JOSE AND PURU BERROCAL BEST PAPER PRIZE - RECOGNIZES 0. 0. 30000.
  49. INDIVIDUAL RESTRICTED DONATION 0. 0. 500.

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 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 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 May 1973.

    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.