Worthy of Your Trust

BrightFocus Foundation meets all twenty standards for charity accountability and has been approved by the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB evaluated BrightFocus' governance, fundraising practices, solicitations, informational materials, and how well the organization spends its money. Only charities that meet the BBB's strong and comprehensive standards may display their seal.

BrightFocus Foundation is a member of America's Charities.

BrightFocus is a member of the GuideStar Exchange, which recognizes nonprofit organizations that have updated their reports to the fullest. Exchange members are acknowledged for sharing detailed information concerning their programs, budget, senior management team members, and key documents, such as the audited financial statements and annual report, with GuideStar's visitors.

BrightFocus Foundation is certified under the Maryland Nonprofits' Standards for Excellence.

BrightFocus is a member of and in compliance with the Direct Marketing Association's Guidelines for Ethical Business Practice and other DMA standards for nonprofit organizations.

BrightFocus is dedicated to good stewardship of contributions from our generous donors. Both the BrightFocus Board of Directors and its staff members strive to reduce costs so that as much funding as possible is invested in world class research and public outreach. We freely offer information on our complete financial picture through our annual report, consolidated financial statement and IRS form 990.

Each year BrightFocus publishes an annual report with information on the research we fund, our outreach efforts, our donors and a summary of our financial position. Read our most recent 2012 Annual Report. (Please note that the report is a high quality, 12.4 MB file and may take some time to download depending on your connection speed).

At the end of each fiscal year an independent auditor completes a detailed statement of BrightFocus' financial position including assets, expenses, cash flows, support and revenues, and liabilities. Look at this past year's consolidated financial statement (PDF, 27 pages).

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that all 501(c)(3) private foundations, such as BrightFocus, submit an annual statement of mission, programs and finances in an IRS form 990. View BrightFocus' latest IRS Form 990 here (PDF, 77 pages).;

View a copy of our 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination* (PDF, 1 page) and IRS Form 1023 (PDF, 19 pages)

* BrightFocus Foundation has requested from the IRS an updated Letter of Determination that reflects our new name, and will be posted as soon as it is received.

Current and Previous Documents:

• IRS Form 990
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010


• Financial Statement
  • 2012
  • 2011


• Annual Report
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010