Glaucoma Research Foundation
Glaucoma Research Foundation is a public charity based in San Francisco, California, that supports glaucoma research and patient education. Founded in 1978, it funds research worldwide with the mission of curing glaucoma and restoring vision through innovative research.
Glaucoma Research Foundation at a glance
In short: Glaucoma Research Foundation gave $3.1M across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $155K), mostly in California. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,090,000
- +29.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +5.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $154,500
- +22.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $102,500
- Total assets
- $16,545,749
- +13.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (8 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (62% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Glaucoma Research Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a preliminary proposal for consideration. Applicants whose proposals are approved will be invited to submit a full application and receive further instructions.
- Review Cycle
- Preliminary proposals are accepted annually from June 1 through July 15. The 2026 application window has passed.
- Deadline
- Preliminary proposals are accepted annually from June 1 through July 15.
- Contact
Mailing address: 131 Steuart St 200, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 986-3162
Website: https://glaucoma.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Glaucoma Research Foundation
Dr. Henry A. Sutro Family Grant for Research
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dr. James and Elizabeth Wise Project Grant
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dr. Miriam Yelsky Memorial Research Grant
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Glaucoma Research Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was STANFORD UNIVERSITY Dr Hu ($375K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 36 grants of 82 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it funds research worldwide, and Shaffer Grant proposals are accepted from all countries. In filing year 2025, 62% of grant dollars went to California recipients, 16% to Massachusetts, 8% to Minnesota, 5% to Florida, and 2% to Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Glaucoma Research Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 20 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $76K; repeat grants $207K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $250K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2021) to $3.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY Dr Hu San Francisco, CA | Glaucoma Research | $375,000 |
| Glaucoma Reaserch & Education San Francisco, CA | Glaucoma Research | $325,000 |
| Brigham and Womens Hospital Boston, MA | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| Massachusetts Eye & Ear Boston, MA | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| Mayo Clinic Minneapolis, MN | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| THE REGENTS OF UC Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| Uc Davis West Sacramento, CA | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| Uc San Diego La Jolla, CA | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| Uc San Francisco Los Angeles, CA | Glaucoma Research | $250,000 |
| Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Miami, FL | Glaucoma Research | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Glaucoma Research Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16,545,749 | $10,127,426 | $9,098,569 | $3,090,000 | 20 | $343,886 |
| 2024 | $14,638,577 | $7,188,147 | $6,983,043 | $2,396,000 | 19 | $142,786 |
| 2023 | $14,426,054 | $6,480,467 | $6,158,927 | $2,385,500 | 15 | $269,744 |
| 2022 | $13,065,899 | $5,777,174 | $4,937,400 | $1,905,591 | 14 | $68,754 |
| 2021 | $13,366,326 | $4,401,477 | $4,575,043 | $1,759,477 | 14 | $305,289 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to cure glaucoma and restore vision through innovative research. Its strategic priorities include improving therapies, restoring vision, and pursuing a cure. Its research programs address glaucoma through collaborative research and seed funding for innovative projects.
The Foundation’s 2025 grants included support for universities, hospitals, and eye research organizations. Among the grantees, Loyola University of Chicago describes its mission as expanding knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith. The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University describes Stanford as an institution focused on undergraduate and graduate education and research.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 20 grants totaling $3,090,000. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $375,000, with a median of $102,500. The listed grant purposes were glaucoma research.
The largest grant was $375,000 to Stanford University. Other notable awards included $325,000 to Glaucoma Research & Education and $250,000 each to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Mayo Clinic, the Regents of UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, and UC San Francisco.
The Shaffer Research Grants program provides one-year awards of $60,000 for projects supporting high-impact clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory research aligned with the Foundation’s strategic goals. Researchers must first submit a preliminary proposal. The Foundation accepts proposals from all countries. Applicants must have a graduate degree and must not have received a Shaffer Grant within the previous three years. Recipients must acknowledge the Foundation in papers and abstracts, send it copies of resulting publications, and provide a final progress report and a PDF poster summarizing project results.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas M. Brunner as President and CEO; Nancy Graydon as Executive Director of Development and COO; Andrew Jackson as Director of Communication; Catalina San Agustin as Director of Operation; and Morgan Velarde as Director of Philanthropic. Listed board officers include Andrew G. Iwach, MD, Chair; Ruth D. Williams, MD, Vice Chair; Charles R. Wilmoth, Treasurer; and Richard Halprin, CPA, Secretary.
Glaucoma Research Foundation is led by Thomas M. Brunner, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 6 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas M. Brunner
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$244K (2021) → $293K (2025)
Nancy Graydon
Executive Director Development & COO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$241K (2021) → $281K (2025)
Andrew G. Iwach MD
Chair
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Jackson
Director Communications
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$142K (2021) → $164K (2025)
Catalina San Agustin
Director Operations
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$134K (2021) → $161K (2025)
Morgan Velarde
Director Philanthropic
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$104K (2023) → $127K (2025)
Adrienne L. Graves PhD
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis E. Singleton
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frederick H. Brinkmann
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John G Flanagan PhD
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda C. Linck
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy S Forster
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert L. Stamper MD
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri-Diann Pickering MD
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Oluwatosin Smith
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David S Friedman
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Valorie
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Maxson
Individual & Corp Giv Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Charles R. Wilmoth
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth D. Williams MD
Vice Chair
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard HALPRIN CPA
Secretary
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Maxson Thomas (2024) — Xxxxxxxxx
- Former: Michelle De Elizalde Epstein (2023) — Assistant Director Researc
- Former: Meredith Gale (2021–2022) — Director Development
- Former: Rick Halprin CPA (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Monica L. Vetter PhD (2021) — 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 $293K, to Thomas M Brunner (President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Glaucoma Research Foundation
How much does Glaucoma Research Foundation give each year?
Glaucoma Research Foundation gave $3.1M across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.4M across 19 grants.
What is Glaucoma Research Foundation's typical grant size?
Glaucoma Research Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $102,500, and its average grant was $154,500, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Glaucoma Research Foundation that year got $76K on average.
Where does Glaucoma Research Foundation give grants?
Glaucoma Research Foundation gives mostly in California: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (16%) and Minnesota (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants), Los Angeles, CA (2 grants) and Berkeley, CA (2 grants).
Does Glaucoma Research Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on Glaucoma Research Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Glaucoma Research" (20 grants).
Who are Glaucoma Research Foundation's largest grantees?
Glaucoma Research Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include STANFORD UNIVERSITY Dr Hu ($375,000), Glaucoma Reaserch & Education ($325,000) and Brigham and Womens Hospital ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Glaucoma Research Foundation?
Glaucoma Research Foundation reported $16.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.1M.
What does Glaucoma Research Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to cure glaucoma and restore vision through innovative research. Its strategic priorities include improving therapies, restoring vision, and pursuing a cure. Its research programs address glaucoma through collaborative research and seed funding for innovative projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Glaucoma Research Foundation?
Submit a preliminary proposal for consideration. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Glaucoma Research Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/glaucoma-research-foundation-morg_7eb762a3b66c46d1b99fcc14832b177e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_942495035_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Glaucoma Research Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/glaucoma-research-foundation-morg_7eb762a3b66c46d1b99fcc14832b177e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Glaucoma Research Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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