American Center for Optics
Design and execute workforce training programs to support the increasing complexity and growing manufacturing requirements of the nation's optics industry. Develop advanced optic manfacturing technologies, testing equipment, and the specialized materials required to support scalable manufacturing. Successfully transition mission-critical optics technologies from research into sustainable manufacturing.
Key facts about American Center for Optics
- EIN
- 84-4020441
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Total assets
- $7,689,947
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$7.7M
+0.2% YoY
Revenue
$5.9M
+19.9% YoY
Net Investment Income
$1K
+5.9% YoY
Expenses
$5.7M
+20.2% YoY
About American Center for Optics
Based on IRS filings
American Center for Optics is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Fairport, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $7.7M in total assets. Net investment income was $1K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $121K (2023). In 2023 it made 3 grants totaling $121K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 5 (60%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2025.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,689,947 | $7,671,943 | $4,915,678 |
| Revenue | $5,914,556 | $4,932,251 | $2,878,824 |
| Expenses | $5,695,231 | $4,736,747 | $2,845,890 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,080 | $1,020 | $1,794 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
American Center for Optics is led by Dave Shelton, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2024; 12 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dave Shelton
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$197K (2024) → $258K (2025)
Kirkland J. Warden
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $5K (2025)
Michael J. Bechtold
Director
On filings since 2021
1.6 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $5K (2025)
Bob Bicksler
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$95K (2023) → $5K (2025)
Jennifer Cable
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $5K (2025)
Jessica Nelson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $5K (2025)
Len Chaloux
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $5K (2025)
Rick Plympton
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $5K (2025)
Ronald Driggers
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$3K (2025)
Birgit Gillman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$5K (2025)
John Schaefer
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Sigley
Chief Scientist
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$180K (2025)
Magdamar Hernandez Otero
Program Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Former officers (8)
- Former: Brigit Gilman (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Josanne Denatale (2024) — Director of National Mktg & Wfi
- Former: Kirsten Nobel (2024) — Senior Program Manager
- Former: Robert Bicksler (2024) — Former Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Jeff L. Ruckman (2021–2023) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Thomas Battley (2021–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Kathleen Richardson (2023) — Director
- Former: Jay M. Eastman (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $258K, to Dave Shelton (Chief Executive Officer). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Center for Optics
How large is American Center for Optics?
American Center for Optics reported $7.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.9M.
What is American Center for Optics?
American Center for Optics is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Fairport, NY. It holds $7.7M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does American Center for Optics operate?
American Center for Optics has awarded grants in Colorado, Florida, New Jersey.
What is American Center for Optics's EIN?
American Center for Optics's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-4020441. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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