Disable all preview features

Health : Medical Research

Retina Foundation of the Southwest

Leading Research . . .Saving Sight

impact data icon

Impact Information is available from our partner, GuideStar

four stars

92.62

9600 North Central Expressway Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75231
tel: (214) 363-3911   Web Site
EIN: 51-0151514

Board Leadership
Tia Tomlin
Chair

CEO
Jean Buys
Executive Director

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 92.62 four stars
  Financial 89.57 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 100.00 four stars
This rating was published 12/21/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Retina Foundation of the Southwest (RFSW), founded in 1982, has grown into one of the leading independent vision research centers in the United States, with a staff dedicated to finding the causes, treatments and potential cures for blinding eye diseases. The mission of RFSW is to prevent vision loss and restore sight through innovative research and treatment. Our research scientists are on the cutting edge of technology to understand the intricacy of retinal function and conduct studies for age-related macular degeneration, inherited eye diseases and pediatric eye disorders.

The Retina Foundation of the Southwest (RFSW), founded in 1982, has grown into one of the leading independent vision research centers in the United States, with a staff dedicated to finding the causes, treatments and potential cures for blinding eye diseases. The mission of RFSW is to prevent vision loss and restore sight through innovative research and treatment. Our research scientists are on the cutting edge of technology to understand the intricacy of retinal function and conduct studies for age-related macular degeneration, inherited eye diseases and pediatric eye disorders.

Impact Information

data icon
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Total in 2018
Number of annual appointments for children and adults with vision loss
2,087
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of July 2019, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

89.57

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

100.00

This rating was published 12/21/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 78.6%
  Administrative Expenses 13.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 8.0%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.06
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.24
  Program Expenses Growth -0.6%
  Liabilities to Assets 4.8%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Retina Foundation of the Southwest on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Retina Foundation of the Southwest on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Retina Foundation of the Southwest (TX) 92.62 four stars
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (CA) 88.86 three stars
Foundation Fighting Blindness (MD) 86.67 three stars
Familial Dysautonomia Foundation (NY) 94.25 four stars
Sabin Vaccine Institute (DC) 89.39 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $2,962,019
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $683,902
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $491,880
Total Contributions $4,137,801
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $4,137,801
   Other Revenue $444,618
TOTAL REVENUE $4,582,419
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $2,925,343
   Administrative Expenses $555,277
   Fundraising Expenses $318,890
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $3,799,510
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $782,909
   
Net Assets $18,168,046

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Research $2,925,343 100.0%

Ratings History
Retina Foundation of the Southwest has received 6 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-12 12/21/2018 92.62 four stars
2016-12 03/01/2018 91.87 four stars
2015-12 04/01/2017 94.43 four stars
2014-12 10/01/2016 96.64 four stars
2014-12 07/01/2016 95.61 four stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 94.02 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 11/01/2015 94.61 four stars
2013-12 12/01/2014 91.13 four stars
2012-12 02/01/2014 91.51 four stars
2011-12 05/01/2013 89.71 three stars
2010-12 03/01/2012 94.22 four stars
2009-12 09/20/2011 94.17 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 06/01/2011 95.66 four stars
2008-12 07/01/2010 91.40 four stars
2007-12 07/01/2009 89.12 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 51-0151514
Name in IRS Master File RETINA FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTHWEST
NTEE Code H41
NTEE Classification Eye Research
NTEE Type Medical Research
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (123) Discussion groups, forums, panels lectures, etc.
(162) Other medical research
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date December, 1975
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$151,000 3.97% Jean Buys Executive Director
Other Salaries of Note
$236,280 6.21% Eileen Birch Pediatric Lab Director
$234,051 6.16% David Birch Scientific Director
$212,231 5.58% Karl Csaky Md Phd Medical Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Retina Foundation of the Southwest (TX) 92.62 four stars
Foundation Fighting Blindness (MD) 86.67 three stars
Tisch MS Research Center of New York (NY) 86.98 three stars
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (IL) 87.39 three stars
The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (FL) 89.38 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Retina Foundation of the Southwest
9600 North Central Expressway
Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75231
tel: (214) 363-3911
fax: (214) 363-4538
EIN: 51-0151514

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Tia Tomlin
Chair

CEO

Jean Buys
Executive Director

please wait...

    • I want to donate to Retina Foundation of the Southwest

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on