The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is an academic leadership organization based in Rockville, Maryland, that advances optometric education and research. It represents accredited U.S. schools and colleges of optometry and supports efforts to prepare qualified professionals to serve the public’s eye and vision health needs.
Key facts about Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
In short: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry gave $131K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), top state California. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 52-1005768
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $130,959
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $11,905
- Median grant
- $8,302
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (4 of 11, 2025)
- Total assets
- $13,305,290
- Primary geography
- California (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$13.3M
+9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$131K
Grant Count
11
Avg Grant Size
$12K
Is Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 11 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $8K repeat.
- Giving fell 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
ASCO’s mission is to advance optometric education and research to enhance the health and well-being of the public. Its stated activities include applicant development and diversity, faculty and leadership development, advocacy, residency promotion, collaboration, data development, and communications.
ASCO’s Partnership Endowment provides grants, when funding is available, to contributing institutions for programs or projects that advance optometric education. The 2025 filing lists all 11 grants as supporting the advancement of optometric education. Among the grantees, Marshall B. Ketchum University describes its mission as educating caring, inspired health care professionals prepared to deliver collaborative, patient-centered care. Pacific University describes its mission as fostering a diverse and sustainable learning community dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice. Southern College of Optometry says it aims to educate health care providers, promote lifelong learning, and foster service. Illinois College of Optometry says it develops highly qualified clinical optometrists through excellent optometric education. The University of Alabama Ophthalmology Services Foundation says it serves eye health needs through patient care, medical education, and research.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ASCO reported 11 grants totaling $130,959. Grants ranged from $5,510 to $25,181, with a median of $8,302. The largest awards were $25,181 to Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University, $24,407 to the University of Houston College of Optometry, and $22,222 to Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. Each was designated for the advancement of optometric education.
ASCO’s website describes Partnership Endowment grants as available to contributing institutions when funding is available. The 2024 filing says grantees must submit an intended-use form after an award; the CEO and director of finance review the form to determine whether the funds will further optometric education. The website’s Awards & Grants page currently states that no grants are being funded. It also lists recognition awards, which are nomination-based and are distinct from grants to institutions. The listed nomination periods are closed, and no application deadline for institutional grants is provided.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dr. Lester Janoff Award for Writing Excellence
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
Amount
$2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest stated shares were California (22%), Pennsylvania (19%), Texas (19%), Oregon (8%), and Tennessee (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $131K (2025) to $189K (2021). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $131K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pennsylvania College of Optometry Salus at Drexel University ($25K). Together the top 10 received $125K.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 35 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania College of Optometry Salus at Drexel University Elkins Park, PA | Advancement of Optometric Education | $25,181 |
| University of Houston College of Optometry Houston, TX | Advancement of Optometric Education | $24,407 |
| Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University Fullerton, CA | Advancement of Optometric Education | $22,222 |
| Pacific University College of Optometry Forest Grove, OR | Advancement of Optometric Education | $9,934 |
| Southern College of Optometry Memphis, TN | Advancement of Optometric Education | $8,498 |
| Illinois College of Optometry Chicago, IL | Advancement of Optometric Education | $8,302 |
| Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry Ft Lauderdale, FL | Advancement of Optometric Education | $7,192 |
| Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science Uc Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Advancement of Optometric Education | $7,113 |
| Indiana University School of Optometry Bloomington, IN | Advancement of Optometric Education | $6,468 |
| SUNY College of Optometry New York, NY | Advancement of Optometric Education | $6,132 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,305,290 | $4,103,503 | $3,751,838 | $130,959; 11 grants |
| 2024 | $12,125,222 | $3,575,704 | $3,435,407 | 0 grants |
| 2023 | $11,311,771 | $3,754,221 | $3,580,601 | 0 grants |
Filing type: Form 990 (a public charity).
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,305,290 | $12,125,222 | $11,311,771 |
| Revenue | $4,103,503 | $3,575,704 | $3,754,221 |
| Expenses | $3,751,838 | $3,435,407 | $3,580,601 |
| Net Investment Income | $583,760 | $50,170 | $268,353 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 1, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Frasier Horn as president, Alicia Feis as president-elect, Keshia Elder as treasurer, Sandra Fortenberry as secretary until January 31, 2025, and Mark Colip as immediate past-president. It also lists Eric Borsting and Nancy Coletta as at-large members; John Flanagan as an at-large member until January 31, 2025; Sharon Bentley as an at-large member from February 1, 2025; and David Heath as an at-large member until September 30, 2024.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry is led by Dawn Mancuso, Executive Vice President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 4 of 35 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dawn Mancuso
Executive Vice President & CEO
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$223K (2020) → $294K (2025)
Frasier Horn
President
Secretary → President-Elect, 2024
President-Elect → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim O'Sullivan
Director & Communications
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$109K (2020) → $131K (2025)
Paige Pence
Director, Student & Residency Affairs
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $134K (2025)
David O'Donnell
Director & Development
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$149K (2024) → $154K (2025)
Alicia Feis
President-Elect
At Large Member → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → President-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andres Pagan
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Heath
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Hoppe
At Large Member
President → Immediate Past-President, 2021
Immediate Past-President → At Large Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard Purcell
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Flanagan
At Large Member
President → Immediate Past-President, 2022
Immediate Past-President → At Large Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karla Zadnik
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Nichols
At Large Member
President → Immediate Past-President, 2023
Immediate Past-President → At Large Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lewis Reich
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Colip
Immediate Past-President
President-Elect → President, 2024
President → Immediate Past-President, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maryke Neiberg
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Suckow
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Trego
At Large Member
President → Immediate Past-President, 2024
Immediate Past-President → At Large Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Twa
At Large Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Rouse
At Large Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Taylor
At Large Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Fortenberry
Secretary
At Large Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Hickenbotham
At Large Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Borsting
At Large Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keshia Elder
Treasurer
At Large Member → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Coletta
At Large Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Walline
At Large Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renee Reeder
At Large Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suresh Viswanathan
At Large Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Troilo
At Large Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Weaver
At Large Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Baker
At Large Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Lighthizer
At Large Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Bentley
At Large Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Schmiedecke Barbieri
At Large Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Doug Penisten (2020–2024) — At Large Member
- Former: Donald Egan (2024) — At Large Member
- Former: Rowan Candy (2024) — At Large Member
- Former: Joseph Bonanno (2020–2023) — At Large Member
- Former: Michael Bacigalupi (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Jennifer Coyle (2020–2022) — At Large Member
- Former: Larry Davis (2020–2022) — At Large Member
- Former: David Damari (2020–2021) — At Large Member
- Former: Timothy Wingert (2020–2021) — At Large Member
- Former: David Loshin (2020) — At Large Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $294K, to Dawn Mancuso (Executive Vice President/CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 143 Rollins Ave 2046, Rockville, MD 20847
Phone: (301) 231-5944
Website: https://optometriceducation.org
Frequently asked questions about Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
How much does Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry give each year?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry gave $131K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's typical grant size?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's median grant in 2025 was $8,302, and its average grant was $11,905, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry that year got $11K on average.
Where does Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry give grants?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's top state is California, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (19%) and Texas (19%).
Does Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Advancement of Optometric Education" (11 grants).
Who are Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's largest grantees?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's largest 2025 grantees include Pennsylvania College of Optometry Salus at Drexel University ($25,181), University of Houston College of Optometry ($24,407) and Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University ($22,222), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry reported $13.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.1M.
What does Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry fund?
ASCO’s mission is to advance optometric education and research to enhance the health and well-being of the public. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check optometriceducation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's EIN?
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1005768. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry by hand.
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