Laser Institute of America
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
LASER INSTITUTE OF AMERICA PROMOTES THE USE OF LASERS AND LASER SAFETY THROUGH EDUCATION, PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS. THROUGH OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMMING, WE CONSISTENTLY IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS TO PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES BY FACILITATING A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND EXPERTS. AT LASER INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, WE LEVERAGE OUR ORGANIZATION'S LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES TO DELIVER HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE AND IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS TO OUR MEMBERS AROUND THE WORLD.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $159,835, ed (eff 01/25),gm (thru 12/24)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (5)
- $916,467 spent. SHORT COURSES AND CONFERENCES - THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS SHORT COURSES AND CONFERENCES WHICH PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES REGARDING LASER TECHNOLOGY, APPLICATIONS, AND SAFETY.
- $202,542 spent. JOURNALS AND PUBLICATIONS - THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES, SELLS AND DISTRIBUTES SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL JOURNALS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT LASER TECHNOLOGY.
- $1,793 spent. MEMBERSHIP - THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS MEMBERSHIPS WHICH ENTITLE MEMBERS TO RECEIVE CERTAIN JOURNALS AND PUBLICATIONS, AND REDUCED RATES ON SHORT COURSES AND SEMINARS.
- $374,468 spent. Other Program Services
- EXPENSES INCURRED IN PROVIDING VARIOUS OTHER NECESSARY EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO ALL INDIVIDUALS IN A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of March 31, 2006. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.