Optometry Cares - the Aoa Foundation

“Through a management, services, and affiliation agreement, the american optometric association provides staffing and support to optometry cares - the aoa foundation.”

“According to the bylaws the american optometric association is the sole member of the foundation.”

“According to the organization's bylaws, the american optometric association appoints, designates or elects the individuals to serve as directors. The board may nominate individuals for consideration by the american optometric association.”

“A 990 online organizer is compiled by aoa finance. It is reviewed by the cfo and is then forwarded to an external accounting firm for their review. The information provided in the organizer is then entered into the electronic 990 forms and returned to the foundation. The financial analyst performs a second review and forwards the 990 to the cfo. The cfo then performs a final review and sends a final copy to the board of trustees for review. The 990 is submitted back to the external accounting firm for submission to the irs.”

“All employees, directors, volunteers and/or trustees are required annually (and at the initial point of service) to sign the conflict of interest policy and notify the organization of any potential issues. Individuals are not paid or reimbursed for expenses until such disclosure has been submitted to legal each year. Legal reviews all completed policies and notifies senior management of any potential conflicts disclosed. Senior management and legal then determine any necessary course of action or disclosure.”

“The foundation has a management, staffing and services contract with the american optometric association (aoa). Through this contract, staffing and other services are provided by the aoa as approved by the foundation`s board of directors. Based upon this arrangement, the executive director`s compensation is set and approved by the aoa executive director in conjunction with an independent compensation analysis by a third party.”

“The organization utilizes a professional employer organization (peo) to provide a market based compensation range for every position within the organization at least annually. These ranges are reviewed to determine any irregularities in accordance with the organization's compensation policy.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflicts of interest policy and financial statements are available upon request.”

“Other services, including the optometry recovery fund, archives and museum of optometry, student scholarship endowment funds and other functions to support the mission of expanding eye health and vision care access for everyone in the u.s. In order to enhance human performance and quality of life.”