Knights Templar Eye Foundation
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas. Founded in 1956 and tax-exempt since May 1957, the Foundation operates under the sponsorship of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, USA. The organization focuses on improving vision through research, education, and supporting access to eye care, with particular emphasis on pediatric ophthalmology and conditions affecting children.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$201.3M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.2M
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
45
+4.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$137K
-4.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.
The Foundation is committed to supporting research that can help launch the careers of clinical and basic researchers focused on the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants and children. Research areas of emphasis include:
- Amblyopia
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Optic nerve hypoplasia
- Nystagmus
- Retinopathy of prematurity
- Hereditary diseases occurring at birth or within early childhood, such as retinoblastoma
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Juvenile glaucoma
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Refractive development and myopia prevention
- Autosomal dominant optic atrophy and cataracts (ADOAC)
Grantmaking
The Foundation awards grants to support pediatric ophthalmology research. Recent grant awards have been in the range of $89,857 to $90,000 per grant. Recent recipients include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation operates nationally, awarding grants to researchers at institutions across the United States, including universities in Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, and Utah.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of the June 2024 tax filing:
- Total Revenue: $20.4 million
- Total Expenses: $8.42 million
- Total Assets: $186 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
The Foundation maintains a strong financial position with substantial assets and no reported liabilities.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $201,316,355 | $185,623,003 | $158,077,794 |
| Revenue | $12,597,408 | $20,418,314 | $241,421 |
| Expenses | $8,288,381 | $8,417,608 | $6,271,165 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $8,928,928 | $7,145,039 | $-2,294,224 |
| 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
238 grants across all recorded years
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
Rolling / Open
Pediatric Ophthalmology Career-Starter Research Grants
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pediatric Ophthalmology Competitive Renewal Grants
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Boston Children's Hospital ($2,000,000), Foundation of the American Academy of Opthalmology Eyecare America ($500,000), Regents of the University of California ($330,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC ATLANTA, GA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $80,000 |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $160,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $243,500 |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BALTIMORE, MD | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $80,000 |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, IL | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $110,000 |
| MEEI RESEARCH BOSTON, MA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $100,000 |
| RECTOR & VISITORS OF UNIVERSITY OF VA CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $80,000 |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE, CA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $330,000 |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | EYE RESEARCH GRANT | $80,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert W. Bigley is listed as the contact manager for the Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFREY N NELSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVID J KUSSMAN | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| JACK M HARPER II | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY A BOLSTAD | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| LAWRENCE E TUCKER | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| KENNETH B FISCHER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM H KOON II | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVID D GOODWIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| JAMES C HERNDON | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| TERRY L PLEMONS | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| DAVID M DRYER | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| DANIEL R SHERRY | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| DAVID W STUDLEY | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| DUANE L VAUGHT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BENJAMIN F WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| JAMES C MCGEE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEREMY C VAUGHN | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| RODNEY MANN | DIRECTOR-AT LARGE | 2 | — |
| ROBERT W BIGLEY | ASSIST SECY/OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR | 40 | $107,200 |
| DARIN BROWN | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $118,281 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements include awards to researchers studying myopia prevention, blinding diseases in young children, juvenile glaucoma therapy, and retinitis pigmentosa. The Foundation announced a 2026 Career Starter Research Grant opportunity. The organization has renewed support for Children's Eye Foundation programs with significant grant awards.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. 2026 Career Starter Research ...The Foundation maintains an active research funding program with grants awarded to support both basic and clinical research focused on pediatric eye diseases and vision impairments.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. 2026 Career Starter Research ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Knights Templar Eye Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care. The Foundation is committed to supporting research that can help launch the careers of clinical and basic researchers focused on the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants and children. Research areas of emphasis include: • Amblyopia • Cataract • Glaucoma • Optic nerve hypoplasia • Nystagmus • Retinopathy of prematurity • Hereditary diseases occurring at birth or within …
How do I apply for a grant from Knights Templar Eye Foundation?
The Foundation awards grants to support pediatric ophthalmology research. Recent grant awards have been in the range of $89,857 to $90,000 per grant. Recent recipients include: • Linjiang Lou, PhD (Emory University School of Medicine) - $89,857 for research on refractive development and retinal dopamine level in myopia prevention • Jose Ronaldo Lima de Carvalho Jr., MD (University of Pennsylvania) - $90,000 for research into blinding diseases affecting children under 10 • Dr. Balasankara Kaipa …
Where does Knights Templar Eye Foundation make grants?
The Foundation operates nationally, awarding grants to researchers at institutions across the United States, including universities in Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, and Utah.
What size grants does Knights Templar Eye Foundation award?
In 2025, Knights Templar Eye Foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $6.2M — an average of about $137K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Knights Templar Eye 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 April 2026.
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