The International Retinal Research
The International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) is a private foundation established in 1997 and based in Birmingham, Alabama. The organization provides financial support for vision research and is committed to sustaining targeted research efforts in ophthalmology and retinal science.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.3M
-1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-26.4% YoY
Grant Count
9
-18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$190K
-10.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The International Retinal Research reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The IRRF's mission is to provide financial support for vision research directly while maximizing resources through partnerships and collaborations with outstanding institutions.
The foundation supports scientific research on diseases of the human eye, with particular emphasis on:
- Macular degeneration research
- Diabetic retinopathy research
- General retinal disease research
- Postdoctoral training in vision research
- Educational and scientific exchange in ophthalmology
Grantmaking
The foundation made 14 grants in 2024, with total giving of $1,712,500. Recent major grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds research primarily in Alabama, Washington, and Tennessee, with notable grants to institutions including Vanderbilt University and the UAB Department of Ophthalmology.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $20,333,743
- Total Revenues: $1,239,787
- Total Expenses: $2,065,670
- Total Giving: $1,712,500
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $20,567,803
- Total Revenues: $1,031,153
- Total Expenses: $2,743,222
The foundation's revenue sources include investment income and dividends, with minimal contributions received in recent years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,333,743 | $20,567,803 | $17,812,175 |
| Revenue | $1,239,787 | $1,031,153 | $2,570,888 |
| Expenses | $2,065,670 | $2,743,222 | $9,272,059 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,882,877 | $2,500,830 | $9,044,879 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,110,130 | $844,354 | $2,209,498 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,039,158 | $1,028,112 | $1,133,436 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Vanderbilt University ($525,000), Uab Dept of Ophthalmology ($450,000), The Retina Society ($275,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RESEARCH TO PREVENT BLINDNESS NEW YORK, NY | RESEARCH | $77,500 |
| SIGHT SAVERS AMERICA PELHAM, AL | RESEARCH | $10,000 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY STANFORD, CA | RESEARCH | $35,000 |
| THE MACULA SOCIETY PEPPER PIKE, OH | RESEARCH | $270,000 |
| THE RETINA SOCIETY BOSTON, MA | RESEARCH | $275,000 |
| UAB DEPT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY BIRMINGHAM, AL | RESEARCH | $450,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SEATTLE, WA | RESEARCH | $35,000 |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY NASHVILLE, TN | RESEARCH | $525,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | RESEARCH | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Michael A. Callahan, MD – Trustee
- V. Hugo Marx III – Trustee
- Paul Sternberg Jr., MD – Trustee
- Sandra Blackwood, MPA – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL A CALLAHAN MD | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| V HUGO MARX III | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| PAUL STERNBERG JR MD | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN S PARKER MD | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| SANDRA BLACKWOOD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $131,760 |
| CYNTHIA TOTH MD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The IRRF has announced a shift in focus toward research collaborations and funding partnerships. Recent initiatives include:
Continuation of the Robert Machemer, MD Foundation Fellowship, with 2023 and 2022 awardees announced
2023 Retina Society/IRRF Awardees AnnouncedOngoing partnership with The Retina Society providing multi-year research funding
2023 Retina Society/IRRF Awardees AnnouncedCollaborative award programs with The Macula Society
2023 Retina Society/IRRF Awardees AnnouncedParticipation in convenings of private vision research funding foundations
Involvement in advocacy efforts related to vision research funding
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The International Retinal Research fund?
The IRRF's mission is to provide financial support for vision research directly while maximizing resources through partnerships and collaborations with outstanding institutions. The foundation supports scientific research on diseases of the human eye, with particular emphasis on: • Macular degeneration research • Diabetic retinopathy research • General retinal disease research • Postdoctoral training in vision research • Educational and scientific exchange in ophthalmology
How do I apply for a grant from The International Retinal Research?
The foundation made 14 grants in 2024, with total giving of $1,712,500. Recent major grants include: • Vanderbilt University: $525,000 (2024) • The Retina Society: $275,000 (2024) • The Macula Society: $270,000 (2024) Typical award amounts range from $175 to $8,324,994. **Robert Machemer, MD Foundation and International Retinal Research Foundation Fellowship** This collaborative fellowship provides $100,000 annually in career research development support. The program targets senior vitreoretina…
Where does The International Retinal Research make grants?
The foundation funds research primarily in Alabama, Washington, and Tennessee, with notable grants to institutions including Vanderbilt University and the UAB Department of Ophthalmology.
What size grants does The International Retinal Research award?
In 2024, The International Retinal Research awarded 9 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $190K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The International Retinal Research required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The International Retinal Research reported a distributable amount of $1.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The International Retinal Research's EIN?
The International Retinal Research's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1342841. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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