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Retinal Science Foundation

EIN 99-0391847 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 35% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 3817 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

OUR PASSION IS PREVENTING PREVENTABLE BLINDNESS, AND RESTORING VISION TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST IT. WE ADVANCE CURES AND TREATMENTS FOR BLINDING EYE DISEASES BY DEVELOPING AND ACCELERATING ACCESS TO NEW AND EXPERIEMENTAL OPHTHALMIC, MEDICAL, AND SURGICAL TREATMENTS. WE FOCUS ON TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS RESEARCH. WE STUDY AND SOLVE SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS TO QUALITY CARE WITH REAL WORLD EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH CARE DATA SCIENCE COUPLED WITH SCREENING PROGRAMS, DIGITAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CLINICAL TRIALS AND CARE FOR THE UNDERSERVED.

Income
$41,243
Spending
$575,242
Spent on programs
35%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 97%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$250,000, president & ceo

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1295% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 97% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    35% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3817 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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.

  • 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

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. $202,124 spent. THE START-UP OPERATIONS OF THE FOUNDATION ARE FOCUSED ON FUNDING GRANTS, CONDUCTING RESEARCH, AND ASSISTING YOUNG INVESTIGATOR PROGRAMS,CLINICAL TRIAL CENTERS, AND RETINAL DISEASE SCREEING PROGRAMS. DURING THIS EARLY STAGE, THE INCURRED PROGRAM EXPENSES ARE INVESTIGATORY AND NOT SPECIFICALLY ALLOCABLE TO SEPARATE PROGRAMS.

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 March 2024.

    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.