The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation is a private foundation located in Boston, Massachusetts. It supports postgraduate education and research in ophthalmology and the ophthalmic sciences, primarily through fellowships for individuals pursuing ophthalmology training.
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation at a glance
In short: The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation gave $209K across 42 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $209,334
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 42
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,984
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,587
- Total assets
- $4,196,606
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (20% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted online with the required materials. The 2026 award application cycle is closed; the foundation’s website says to watch for updates on the 2027 cycle.
- Review Cycle
- March 1 for fellowships beginning in July of the same year.
- Deadline
- March 1 for fellowships beginning in July of the same year.
- Contact
Application contact: David J Wilson M D
Mailing address: 3375 Sw Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97239
Phone: (503) 494-3051
Website: https://heed.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Amer Alsoudi ($6K). Together the top 10 received $58K.
Grant Size Distribution
215 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 215 grants of 215 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares were in California (20%), Pennsylvania (11%), Massachusetts (8%), North Carolina (8%), and Florida (7%). These figures describe recipient locations, not stated geographic priorities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $168K (2020) to $233K (2023). In 2025 it made 42 grants totaling $209K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amer Alsoudi Houston, TX | Education | $5,838 |
| Poojitha Balakrishnan Birmingham, AL | Education | $5,838 |
| Darius Bordbar Houston, TX | Education | $5,838 |
| Arthur Brant Mountain View, CA | Education | $5,838 |
| Angela Chen Los Angeles, CA | Education | $5,838 |
| Jimmy Chen San Diego, CA | Education | $5,838 |
| Kelly Donovan Durham, NC | Education | $5,838 |
| Anupam Garg Baltimore, MD | Education | $5,838 |
| Joseph Giacalone Rochester, MN | Education | $5,838 |
| James Harris Durham, NC | Education | $5,838 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,196,606 | $346,393 | $323,425 | $209,334 | 42 | $298,198 | $232,905 | $278,651 |
| 2024 | $4,184,705 | $339,859 | $329,464 | $223,512 | 45 | $306,709 | $288,103 | $260,562 |
| 2023 | $4,173,262 | $243,332 | $334,306 | $232,686 | 47 | $315,818 | $124,162 | $234,145 |
| 2022 | $4,267,766 | $150,841 | $412,281 | $220,176 | 44 | $386,610 | $108,828 | $242,052 |
| 2021 | $4,529,469 | $330,869 | $303,351 | $189,318 | 37 | $289,624 | $307,342 | $273,123 |
| 2020 | $4,501,512 | $144,998 | $321,056 | $168,468 | 34 | — | $104,911 | $231,393 |
| 2019 | $4,672,878 | $200,299 | $329,525 | $181,812 | 36 | — | $159,331 | $238,763 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation reported a distributable amount of $279K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to encourage and support education and research in ophthalmology and the ophthalmic sciences by providing postgraduate fellowships to individuals of exceptional ability. It supports outstanding ophthalmologists pursuing academic careers in ophthalmic patient care, education, and research.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 42 grants totaling $209,334. The grants ranged from $4,170 to $5,838, with a median of $4,587. The largest listed grants were $5,838 each, for education, to recipients including Amer Alsoudi, Poojitha Balakrishnan, Darius Bordbar, Arthur Brant, two individual recipients, Kelly Donovan, Anupam Garg, Joseph Giacalone, James Harris, Jason Keil, and Emily Levine.
The foundation’s fellowship award is paid directly to the selected Fellow in monthly installments and cannot be reduced by the institution. Its application requirements include a biographical sketch with a personal statement and two recommendation letters: one from the ophthalmology department chair or residency program director who supervised the applicant’s residency, and one from the fellowship preceptor. Applicants must meet the foundation’s stated education and fellowship criteria, be U.S. citizens, complete the fellowship within three years of residency, undertake the fellowship in the United States, and spend at least 20% of the fellowship in research.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists CIBC National Trust Company as trustee; David J. Wilson, M.D., and Froncie A. Gutman, M.D., as executive secretaries; Stephen D. McLeod, M.D., Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., Joan W. Miller, M.D., Nicholas J. Volpe, M.D., and Julia A. Haller, M.D., as officers; and Lisa Brown SF AMS as administrator.
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's 2025 filing lists 9 officers; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cibc National Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$32K (2019) → $36K (2025)
David J. Wilson MD
Executive Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $32K (2025)
Froncie A. Gutman MD
Executive Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Eduardo C. Alfonso MD
Officer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan W. Miller MD
Officer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia A. Haller MD
Officer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Brown Sf Ams
Administrator
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas J. Volpe MD
Officer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen D. McLeod MD
Officer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $36K, to Cibc National Trust Company (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
How much does The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation give each year?
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation gave $209K across 42 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $224K across 45 grants.
What is The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's typical grant size?
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,587, and its average grant was $4,984, across 42 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation give grants?
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's top state is California, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (11%) and Massachusetts (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (4 grants), Portland, OR (3 grants), Houston, TX (2 grants) and Mountain View, CA (2 grants).
Does The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 42 grants with a stated purpose on The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (42 grants).
Who are The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's largest grantees?
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Amer Alsoudi ($5,838), Poojitha Balakrishnan ($5,838) and Darius Bordbar ($5,838), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation?
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation reported $4.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $298K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $279K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to encourage and support education and research in ophthalmology and the ophthalmic sciences by providing postgraduate fellowships to individuals of exceptional ability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation?
Applications are submitted online with the required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's EIN?
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6012426. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 22, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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