The International Retinal Research
The International Retinal Research is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Alabama. Its 2024 filing lists grants for research to universities, professional societies, and other organizations.
The International Retinal Research at a glance
In short: The International Retinal Research gave $1.7M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $190K), top state Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,712,500
- -26.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -18.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $190,278
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $77,500
- Total assets
- $20,333,743
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (31% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The International Retinal Research
- How to Apply
-
Contact Sandra Blackwood for information about application forms and materials. Award restrictions must be in line with the foundation’s purpose; call for more details.
- Review Cycle
- Call for information.
- Deadline
- Call for information.
- Contact
Application contact: Sandra Blackwood
Mailing address: 1720 University Boulevard Suite 124, Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 325-8103
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The International Retinal Research funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Vanderbilt University ($525K). Together the top 9 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 54 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Tennessee (31%), Alabama (27%), Massachusetts (16%), Ohio (16%), and New York (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The International Retinal Research gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 181% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2020) to $8.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | Research | $525,000 |
| UAB Dept of Ophthalmology Birmingham, AL | Research | $450,000 |
| The Retina Society Boston, MA | Research | $275,000 |
| The Macula Society Pepper Pike, OH | Research | $270,000 |
| Research to Prevent Blindness New York, NY | Research | $77,500 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Research | $35,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Research | $35,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Research | $35,000 |
| Sight Savers America Pelham, AL | Research | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,333,743 | $1,239,787 | $2,065,670 | $1,712,500 | 9 | $1,882,877 | $1,110,130 | $1,039,158 |
| 2023 | $20,567,803 | $1,031,153 | $2,743,222 | $2,326,000 | 11 | $2,500,830 | $844,354 | $1,028,112 |
| 2022 | $17,812,175 | $2,570,888 | $9,272,059 | $8,831,859 | 12 | $9,044,879 | $2,209,498 | $1,133,436 |
| 2021 | $29,800,407 | $2,481,760 | $1,908,533 | $1,529,550 | 12 | $1,708,660 | $2,318,510 | $1,644,890 |
| 2020 | $33,014,597 | $1,455,825 | $1,443,229 | $1,123,800 | 10 | — | $1,305,017 | $1,485,214 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2024 grants were all listed with the purpose “RESEARCH.” Recipients included universities and ophthalmology and retina-related societies. The Macula Society describes its mission as advancing the study of retinal-vascular and macular diseases. Research to Prevent Blindness states that it provides organizational and financial resources to support a comprehensive program of eye research. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not a stated mission of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 9 grants totaling $1,712,500. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $525,000, with a median of $77,500. The largest awards included $525,000 to Vanderbilt University, $450,000 to UAB Department of Ophthalmology, $275,000 to The Retina Society, $270,000 to The Macula Society, and $77,500 to Research to Prevent Blindness.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael A. Callahan, MD, as president; V. Hugo Marx III as treasurer; Paul Sternberg Jr., MD, as secretary; John S. Parker, MD, as vice president; Sandra Blackwood as executive director; and Cynthia Toth, MD, as director.
The International Retinal Research is led by Sandra Blackwood, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sandra Blackwood
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $132K (2024)
Michael A. Callahan MD
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Toth MD
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John S. Parker MD
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Sternberg Jr. MD
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
V. Hugo Marx III
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Larry A. Donoso MD PhD JD (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $132K, to Sandra Blackwood (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The International Retinal Research
How much does The International Retinal Research give each year?
The International Retinal Research gave $1.7M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 11 grants.
What is The International Retinal Research's typical grant size?
The International Retinal Research's median grant in 2024 was $77,500, and its average grant was $190,278, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The International Retinal Research give grants?
The International Retinal Research's top state is Tennessee, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Alabama (27%) and Massachusetts (16%).
Does The International Retinal Research give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on The International Retinal Research's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research" (9 grants).
Who are The International Retinal Research's largest grantees?
The International Retinal Research's largest 2024 grantees include Vanderbilt University ($525,000), UAB Dept of Ophthalmology ($450,000) and The Retina Society ($275,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The International Retinal Research?
The International Retinal Research reported $20.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The International Retinal Research fund?
The foundation’s 2024 grants were all listed with the purpose “RESEARCH.” Recipients included universities and ophthalmology and retina-related societies. The Macula Society describes its mission as advancing the study of retinal-vascular and macular diseases. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The International Retinal Research?
Contact Sandra Blackwood for information about application forms and materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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