The Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1978, GRF is dedicated to finding a cure for glaucoma and restoring vision through innovative research. The organization does not conduct research itself but works closely with the research community to advance progress toward a cure. GRF also serves as a leading information source for patients and families affected by glaucoma.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.5M
+13.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
+29.0% YoY
Grant Count
20
+5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$155K
+22.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To cure glaucoma and restore vision through innovative research.
GRF's work is guided by four core commitments:
- Discovery: Seeking a cure and solutions that prevent glaucoma, slow its progression, and restore lost vision
- Collaboration: Bringing together patients, families, caregivers, doctors, and researchers to learn from and support each other
- Innovation: Providing seed funding for creative research projects that might not otherwise move forward, attracting new talent to the field of vision science
- Empowerment: Sharing knowledge, insight, resources, and inspiration with people affected by glaucoma
The organization addresses glaucoma as the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent and irreversible, and currently there is no cure. GRF estimates that by 2040, 111 million people worldwide will have glaucoma.
Grantmaking
GRF operates two primary research grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GRF funds glaucoma research worldwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025:
- Total Revenue: $10,127,426
- Total Expenses: $9,098,569
- Net Income: $1,028,857
- Total Assets: $16,545,749
- Total Liabilities: $1,459,454
Revenue Breakdown:
- Contributions: $9,190,412 (90.7%)
- Program Services: $391,458 (3.9%)
- Investment Income: $320,117 (3.2%)
- Net Fundraising: $113,673 (1.1%)
- Sales of Assets: $23,769 (0.2%)
- Other Revenue: $87,997 (0.9%)
Expense Breakdown:
- Executive Compensation: $948,045 (10.4%)
- Other Salaries and Wages: $1,314,654 (14.4%)
Cumulative Impact: Donors have contributed over $50 million to GRF's mission since its founding.
Recognition: GRF earned Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating for the 9th consecutive year, recognizing the organization's strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. The organization meets all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,545,749 | $14,638,577 | $14,426,054 |
| Revenue | $10,127,426 | $7,188,147 | $6,480,467 |
| Expenses | $9,098,569 | $6,983,043 | $6,158,927 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $343,886 | $142,786 | $269,744 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Glaucoma Research Foundation
Dr. Henry A. Sutro Family Grant for Research
GLAUCOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dr. James and Elizabeth Wise Project Grant
GLAUCOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dr. Miriam Yelsky Memorial Research Grant
GLAUCOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include STANFORD UNIVERSITY Dr Hu ($375,000), Glaucoma Reaserch & Education ($325,000), Brigham and Womens Hospital ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE MIAMI, FL | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $150,000 |
| Brigham and Womens Hospital Boston, MA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $250,000 |
| Doheny Eye Institute Los Angeles, CA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $55,000 |
| GLAUCOMA REASERCH & EDUCATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $325,000 |
| Loyola University of Chicago CHICAGO, IL | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $55,000 |
| Massachusetts Eye & Ear Boston, MA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $250,000 |
| Mayo Clinic Minneapolis, MN | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $250,000 |
| ReNervo Inc MENLO PARK, CA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $25,000 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY Redwood City, CA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $25,000 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY Dr Hu San Francisco, CA | GLAUCOMA RESEARCH | $375,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Thomas Brunner
The organization operates with a small staff and maintains an extended team of expert advisors and GRF Ambassadors—a national leadership group of eye doctors dedicated to improving access to educational materials for all glaucoma patients.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS M BRUNNER | President & CEO | 40 | $292,670 |
| NANCY GRAYDON | E.D. DEVEL. & COO | 40 | $281,350 |
| ANDREW JACKSON | DIR. COMMUNICATION | 40 | $163,817 |
| CATALINA SAN AGUSTIN | DIRECTOR OPERATION | 40 | $160,860 |
| Morgan Velarde | Dir. Philanthropic | 40 | $126,684 |
| THOMAS MAXSON | IND & CORP GIV OFF | 40 | $121,275 |
| ANDREW G IWACH MD | CHAIR | 5 | — |
| RUTH D WILLIAMS MD | VICE CHAIR | 5 | — |
| CHARLES R WILMOTH | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Richard HALPRIN CPA | Secretary | 5 | — |
| FREDERICK H BRINKMANN | Director | 5 | — |
| Nancy S Forster | Director | 5 | — |
| Oluwatosin Smith | Director | 5 | — |
| ROBERT L STAMPER MD | Director | 5 | — |
| DENNIS E SINGLETON | Director | 5 | — |
| LINDA C LINCK | Director | 5 | — |
| ADRIENNE L GRAVES PHD | Director | 5 | — |
| John G Flanagan PHD | Director | 5 | — |
| Terri-Diann Pickering MD | Director | 5 | — |
| David S Friedman | Director | 5 | — |
| Tracy Valorie | Director | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
GRF announced the 2025 Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research
Glaucoma Research Foundation Announces The 2025 Shaffer Grants For Innovative Glaucoma Research - Glaucoma Research FoundationThe organization announced a record $3.06 million in annual research grants to fund 2026 Shaffer Grants and Catalyst for a Cure research collaborations
Glaucoma Research Foundation Announces The 2025 Shaffer Grants For Innovative Glaucoma Research - Glaucoma Research FoundationFiscal 2025 was reported as a record year with total revenue of $8.5 million and total assets reaching a record $16.5 million
Glaucoma Research Foundation Announces Record $3.06 Million In Annual Research Grants To Fund Their 2026 Shaffer Grants And Catalyst For A Cure Research Collaborations - Glaucoma Research FoundationContact Information
Address: 131 Steuart Street, Suite 200 San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 986-3162
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time
Website: glaucoma.org
Tax ID: 94-2495035
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Glaucoma Research Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To cure glaucoma and restore vision through innovative research. GRF's work is guided by four core commitments: • **Discovery:** Seeking a cure and solutions that prevent glaucoma, slow its progression, and restore lost vision • **Collaboration:** Bringing together patients, families, caregivers, doctors, and researchers to learn from and support each other • **Innovation:** Providing seed funding for creative research projects that might not otherwise move forward, attracting new …
How do I apply for a grant from Glaucoma Research Foundation?
GRF operates two primary research grant programs: **Catalyst for a Cure (CFC):** A multiyear collaborative research initiative that brings together research teams to work on major glaucoma challenges. Recent CFC teams have helped redefine glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disease, identified novel biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and treatment, and discovered new therapies in early clinical trials. Current CFC teams are working to cure glaucoma and restore lost vision through stem cells and biome…
Where does Glaucoma Research Foundation make grants?
GRF funds glaucoma research worldwide.
What size grants does Glaucoma Research Foundation award?
In 2025, Glaucoma Research Foundation awarded 20 grants totaling $3.1M — an average of about $155K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Glaucoma Research Foundation's EIN?
Glaucoma Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2495035. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Glaucoma Research Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated June 2026.
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