Knights Templar Eye Foundation
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is a public charity based in Flower Mound, Texas, and sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. Incorporated in 1956, it supports vision-related research, education, and access to care, with a particular emphasis on pediatric ophthalmology research.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation at a glance
In short: Knights Templar Eye Foundation gave $6.2M across 45 grants in 2025 (avg $137K), top state Massachusetts. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,183,262
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 45
- +4.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $137,406
- -4.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $80,000
- Total assets
- $201,316,355
- +8.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (8 of 38, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (37% 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 Knights Templar Eye Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 3201 Cross Timbers Rd Bldg 4 300, Flower Mound, TX 75028
Phone: (214) 888-0220
Website: https://ktef.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Knights Templar Eye Foundation Career-Starter Research Grant
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Pediatric Ophthalmology Career-Starter Research Grants
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Amount
Up to $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Pediatric Ophthalmology Competitive Renewal Grants
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Amount
Up to $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Knights Templar Eye Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boston Children's Hospital ($2.2M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $4.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
263 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 114 grants of 263 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that Massachusetts accounted for 37% of grant dollars and California for 30%. Minnesota accounted for 4%, while Pennsylvania and Illinois each accounted for 3%. The listed 2025 recipients include organizations in these states as well as institutions in Iowa, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Knights Templar Eye Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 38 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $74K; repeat grants $186K. How we count
Medians: $80K first-time, $80K 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 $3.5M (2022) to $6.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 45 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | Research Endowment | $2,000,000 |
| Foundation of the American Academy of Opthalmology Eyecare America San Francisco, CA | AAO Pediatric VR Simulation Program | $500,000 |
| Regents of the University of California Irvine, CA | Eye Research Grant | $330,000 |
| Foundation of the American Academy of Opthalmology Pediatric Eye Registry San Francisco, CA | Eyecare America Senior Eyecare Program | $250,000 |
| Children's Eye Foundation of Aapos ( CEF of Aapos ) San Francisco, CA | Aapos all children can see project "the children's eye foundation" | $250,000 |
| Children's Eye Foundation of Aapos ( CEF of Aapos ) Roseville, MN | Siba Program | $250,000 |
| Children's Hospital Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Eye Research Grant | $243,500 |
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | Eye Research Grant | $160,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Chicago, IL | Eye Research Grant | $110,000 |
| Meei Research Boston, MA | Eye Research Grant | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Knights Templar Eye Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2024 filing states that permanent endowment principal is invested and reinvested, with income available to support its mission. It also states that grants are monitored and managed by the Board of Trustees under the advice of the Scientific Advisory Committee.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $201,316,355 | $12,597,408 | $8,288,381 | $6,183,262 | 45 | $8,928,928 |
| 2024 | $185,623,003 | $20,418,314 | $8,417,608 | $6,181,489 | 43 | $7,145,039 |
| 2023 | $158,077,794 | $241,421 | $6,271,165 | $4,355,418 | 57 | $-2,294,224 |
| 2022 | $153,213,107 | $22,979,623 | $5,349,557 | $3,467,834 | 57 | $19,791,971 |
| 2021 | $160,149,425 | $24,736,186 | $8,635,934 | $5,018,100 | 61 | $21,677,877 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.” Its website describes support for clinical and basic research on potentially blinding conditions in infants and children, including amblyopia, cataract, glaucoma, nystagmus, retinopathy of prematurity, hereditary eye diseases, and eye and visual system development.
The Foundation’s grant records show support for research endowments, eye research, and programs including pediatric virtual-reality simulation and children’s eye-care initiatives. Among the organizations it supported in 2025, the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology describes its mission as advancing the Academy’s clinical education, quality and data science, and public service priorities. The Children’s Eye Foundation describes its mission as ending preventable vision loss in children and improving the lives of visually impaired children worldwide.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 45 grants totaling $6,183,262. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $80,000. The largest listed award was $2,000,000 to Boston Children’s Hospital for a research endowment. Other notable grants included $500,000 to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology for its Pediatric VR Simulation Program, $330,000 to the Regents of the University of California for an eye research grant, and $250,000 to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Pediatric Eye Registry for the EyeCare America Senior EyeCare Program.
The Foundation’s website describes Career-Starter Research Grants for eligible investigators at the beginning of their academic careers who have an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree. Competitive Renewal Grants can extend an original Career-Starter project for one additional year if its data are compelling. Both grant types are listed at up to $100,000 per grant. Applications are reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Committee, with awards approved by Foundation officers.
The website’s 2026–2027 Career-Starter opportunity listed a January 15, 2026 deadline, which has passed. The 2025–2026 opportunity also had a deadline that has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David J. Kussman as president; Jeffrey A. Bolstad as vice president; Lawrence E. Tucker as secretary; and David D. Goodwin as executive director. Directors listed are Jeffrey N. Nelson, Jack M. Harper II, Kenneth B. Fischer, William H. Koon II, James C. Herndon, and Terry L. Plemons. Herndon and Plemons are identified as directors-at-large.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation is led by David D. Goodwin, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David D. Goodwin
Executive Director
Trustee-Past President → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David J. Kussman
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel R. Sherry
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David M. Dryer
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Duane L. Vaught
Director
Trustee-At Large → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James C. Herndon
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey N. Nelson
Director
Trustee-Past President → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth B. Fischer
Director
Trustee-Past President → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rodney A. Mann
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry L. Plemons
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William H. Koon II
Director
Trustee-Past President → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack M. Harper II
Director
Vice President → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James C. McGee
Director
Trustee-At Large → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin F. Williams
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy C. Vaughn
Director-At Large
Trustee-At Large → Director-At Large, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert W. Bigley
Assistant Secretary & Office Administrator
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$95K (2021) → $107K (2025)
Darin Brown
Employee
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2025)
David W. Studley
Treasurer
Trustee-At Large → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey A. Bolstad
Vice President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence E. Tucker
Secretary
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Bobby B. Simmons (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: James M. Ward (2021–2023) — Trustee-Past President
- Former: William J. Jones (2021–2023) — Trustee-Past President
- Former: Michael B. Johnson (2021–2022) — President
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 $118K, to Darin Brown (Employee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Knights Templar Eye Foundation
How much does Knights Templar Eye Foundation give each year?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation gave $6.2M across 45 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.2M across 43 grants.
What is Knights Templar Eye Foundation's typical grant size?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $80,000, and its average grant was $137,406, across 45 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Knights Templar Eye Foundation that year got $74K on average.
Where does Knights Templar Eye Foundation give grants?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest state was California (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (6 grants), San Francisco, CA (4 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants) and Chicago, IL (3 grants).
Does Knights Templar Eye Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 45 grants with a stated purpose on Knights Templar Eye Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Eye Research Grant" (37 grants).
Who are Knights Templar Eye Foundation's largest grantees?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boston Children's Hospital ($2,160,000 across 2 grants), Children's Eye Foundation of Aapos ( CEF of Aapos ) ($600,000 across 3 grants) and Foundation of the American Academy of Opthalmology Eyecare America ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Knights Templar Eye Foundation?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation reported $201.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.6M.
What does Knights Templar Eye Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Knights Templar Eye Foundation?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ktef.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Knights Templar Eye Foundation's EIN?
Knights Templar Eye Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0686958. 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 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Knights Templar Eye Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Knights Templar Eye Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/knights-templar-eye-foundation-morg_91db738adde4404aab3ce2099f035d99
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_520686958_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Knights Templar Eye Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/knights-templar-eye-foundation-morg_91db738adde4404aab3ce2099f035d99},
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 Knights Templar Eye 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.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?