﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Return xmlns="http://www.irs.gov/efile" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.irs.gov/efile" returnVersion="2011v1.2">
  <ReturnHeader binaryAttachmentCount="0">
    <Timestamp>2012-04-30T12:29:57-05:00</Timestamp>
    <TaxPeriodEndDate>2011-12-31</TaxPeriodEndDate>
    <PreparerFirm>
      <EIN>411360831</EIN>
      <PreparerFirmBusinessName>
        <BusinessNameLine1>OLSEN THIELEN &amp; CO LTD</BusinessNameLine1>
      </PreparerFirmBusinessName>
      <PreparerFirmUSAddress>
        <AddressLine1>2675 LONG LAKE ROAD</AddressLine1>
        <City>ST PAUL</City>
        <State>MN</State>
        <ZIPCode>55113</ZIPCode>
      </PreparerFirmUSAddress>
    </PreparerFirm>
    <ReturnType>990EZ</ReturnType>
    <TaxPeriodBeginDate>2011-01-01</TaxPeriodBeginDate>
    <Filer>
      <EIN>201500262</EIN>
      <Name>
        <BusinessNameLine1>MINNESOTA EYE FOUNDATION</BusinessNameLine1>
      </Name>
      <NameControl>MINN</NameControl>
      <Phone>6128133632</Phone>
      <USAddress>
        <AddressLine1>710 E 24TH ST NO 100</AddressLine1>
        <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
        <State>MN</State>
        <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
      </USAddress>
    </Filer>
    <Officer>
      <Name>DAVID R HARDTEN</Name>
      <Title>PRESIDENT</Title>
      <Phone>6128133632</Phone>
      <DateSigned>2012-04-21</DateSigned>
      <AuthorizeThirdParty>1</AuthorizeThirdParty>
    </Officer>
    <Preparer>
      <Name>LINDA M NELSON</Name>
      <PTIN>P00205567</PTIN>
      <Phone>6514834521</Phone>
    </Preparer>
    <TaxYear>2011</TaxYear>
    <BuildTS>2016-02-24 21:20:13Z</BuildTS>
  </ReturnHeader>
  <ReturnData documentCount="4">
    <IRS990EZ documentId="RetDoc1234200001" referenceDocumentId="RetDoc1051800001">
      <MethodOfAccountingCash>X</MethodOfAccountingCash>
      <WebSite>N/A</WebSite>
      <Organization501c3 referenceDocumentId="RetDoc1039100001">X</Organization501c3>
      <GrossReceipts>48600</GrossReceipts>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartI>X</InfoInScheduleOPartI>
      <ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtc>48600</ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtc>
      <TotalRevenue>48600</TotalRevenue>
      <GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaid>2000</GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaid>
      <PrintingPublicationsPostage>810</PrintingPublicationsPostage>
      <OtherExpensesTotal>46086</OtherExpensesTotal>
      <TotalExpenses>48896</TotalExpenses>
      <ExcessOrDeficitForYear>-296</ExcessOrDeficitForYear>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOY>76848</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOY>
      <OtherChangesInNetAssets>0</OtherChangesInNetAssets>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOY>76552</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOY>
      <CashSavingsAndInvestments>
        <BOY>76848</BOY>
        <EOY>76552</EOY>
      </CashSavingsAndInvestments>
      <TotalAssets>
        <BOY>76848</BOY>
        <EOY>76552</EOY>
      </TotalAssets>
      <SumOfTotalLiabilities>
        <BOY>0</BOY>
        <EOY>0</EOY>
      </SumOfTotalLiabilities>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalances>
        <BOY>76848</BOY>
        <EOY>76552</EOY>
      </NetAssetsOrFundBalances>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIII>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIII>
      <PrimaryExemptPurpose>VISION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, EYE CARE FOR THE NEEDY</PrimaryExemptPurpose>
      <ProgramServiceAccomplishment>
        <DescriptionProgramServiceAccom>THE MINNESOTA EYE FOUNDATION PROVIDES EYE CARE, INCLUDING CATARACT SURGERIES, TO FINANCIALLY NEEDY PEOPLE FOR FREE, PROVIDES EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR OPTOMETRIC AND OPHTHALMOLOGY STUDENTS AND POST-GRADUATES, AND EDUCATION OF INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING LOW VISION AIDS.</DescriptionProgramServiceAccom>
        <GrantsAndAllocations>0</GrantsAndAllocations>
        <ProgramServiceExpenses>48856</ProgramServiceExpenses>
      </ProgramServiceAccomplishment>
      <TotalProgramServiceExpenses>48856</TotalProgramServiceExpenses>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>DAVID R HARDTEN MD</PersonName>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>710 EAST 24TH ST STE 100</AddressLine1>
          <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
          <State>MN</State>
          <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <Title>PRESIDENT</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1.00</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>ELIZABETH A DAVIS MD</PersonName>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>710 EAST 24TH ST STE 100</AddressLine1>
          <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
          <State>MN</State>
          <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <Title>VICE PRESIDENT</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1.00</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>THOMAS W SAMUELSON MD</PersonName>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>710 EAST 24TH ST STE 100</AddressLine1>
          <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
          <State>MN</State>
          <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <Title>SECRETARY</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1.00</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>WILLIAM J LIPHAM MD</PersonName>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>710 EAST 24TH ST STE 100</AddressLine1>
          <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
          <State>MN</State>
          <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <Title>TREASURER</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1.00</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>RICHARD L LINDSTROM MD</PersonName>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>710 EAST 24TH ST STE 100</AddressLine1>
          <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
          <State>MN</State>
          <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <Title>MEMBER</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1.00</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRpt>0</ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRpt>
      <MadeChangesToOrgnzngEtcDoc>0</MadeChangesToOrgnzngEtcDoc>
      <OrganizationHadUBI>0</OrganizationHadUBI>
      <SubjectToProxyTax>0</SubjectToProxyTax>
      <OrganizationDissolvedEtc>0</OrganizationDissolvedEtc>
      <DirectIndirectPoliticalExpend>0</DirectIndirectPoliticalExpend>
      <MadeLoansToFromOfficers>0</MadeLoansToFromOfficers>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4911>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4911>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4912>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4912>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4955>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4955>
      <EngagedInExcessBenefitTrans>0</EngagedInExcessBenefitTrans>
      <AmountOfTaxImposedOnOrgMgr>0</AmountOfTaxImposedOnOrgMgr>
      <AmountOfTaxReimbursedByOrg>0</AmountOfTaxReimbursedByOrg>
      <ProhibitedTaxShelterTrans>0</ProhibitedTaxShelterTrans>
      <StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFiled>MN</StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFiled>
      <TheBooksAreInCareOf>
        <NameBusiness>
          <BusinessNameLine1>SUE R RUST</BusinessNameLine1>
        </NameBusiness>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>710 EAST 24TH STREET SUITE 100</AddressLine1>
          <City>MINNEAPOLIS</City>
          <State>MN</State>
          <ZIPCode>55404</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <TelephoneNumber>6128133632</TelephoneNumber>
      </TheBooksAreInCareOf>
      <ForeignFinancialAccount>0</ForeignFinancialAccount>
      <ForeignOffice>0</ForeignOffice>
      <MaintainAnyDonorAdvisedFunds>0</MaintainAnyDonorAdvisedFunds>
      <DoesOrgHaveHospital>0</DoesOrgHaveHospital>
      <TanningServicesProvided>0</TanningServicesProvided>
      <RelatedOrgControlledEntity>0</RelatedOrgControlledEntity>
      <EngagePoliticalCmpgnActivities>0</EngagePoliticalCmpgnActivities>
      <EngageInLobbyingActivities>0</EngageInLobbyingActivities>
      <OperatingSchool>0</OperatingSchool>
      <TrnsfrsExemptNonCharRelatedOrg>0</TrnsfrsExemptNonCharRelatedOrg>
      <PartVIOfCompOfHighestPaidEmpl>NONE</PartVIOfCompOfHighestPaidEmpl>
      <PartVIAHghstPaidCntrctProfSer>NONE</PartVIAHghstPaidCntrctProfSer>
      <FiledScheduleA>1</FiledScheduleA>
    </IRS990EZ>
    <IRS990ScheduleA documentId="RetDoc1039100001">
      <PubliclySupportedOrg170b1Avi>X</PubliclySupportedOrg170b1Avi>
      <GiftsGrantsContribReceived170>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>8050</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>77600</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>54545</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>51423</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>48600</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>240218</Total>
      </GiftsGrantsContribReceived170>
      <Total170>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>8050</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>77600</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>54545</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>51423</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>48600</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>240218</Total>
      </Total170>
      <AmountsSubstContributorsTotal>116920</AmountsSubstContributorsTotal>
      <PublicSupportTotal170>123298</PublicSupportTotal170>
      <TotalSupport>240218</TotalSupport>
      <PublicSupportPertcentage170>0.51330</PublicSupportPertcentage170>
      <PublicSupportPertcentPriorYear>0.49450</PublicSupportPertcentPriorYear>
      <ThirtyThreePercntTestsCY170>X</ThirtyThreePercntTestsCY170>
    </IRS990ScheduleA>
    <IRS990ScheduleB documentId="RetDoc1234500001">
      <ContributorInfo>
        <ContributorNumber>RESTRICTED</ContributorNumber>
        <ContributorNameBusiness>
          <BusinessNameLine1>RESTRICTED</BusinessNameLine1>
        </ContributorNameBusiness>
        <ContributorAddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>RESTRICTED</AddressLine1>
          <AddressLine2>RESTRICTED</AddressLine2>
          <City>RESTRICTED</City>
          <State>RESTRICTED</State>
          <ZIPCode>RESTRICTED</ZIPCode>
        </ContributorAddressUS>
        <AggregateContributions>RESTRICTED</AggregateContributions>
      </ContributorInfo>
    </IRS990ScheduleB>
    <IRS990ScheduleO documentId="RetDoc1051800001">
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <Identifier>GRANTS AND SIMILAR AMOUNTS PAID</Identifier>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 10</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION: RESEARCH GRANT. GRANTEE NAME: ALINA HEALTH SYSTEMS. DATE OF GIFT: 10/28/11. AMOUNT GIVEN: 2,000.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <Identifier>OTHER EXPENSES</Identifier>
        <ReturnReference>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>DESCRIPTION: MN ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE. AMOUNT: 40. DESCRIPTION: PERSPECTIVES COURSES. AMOUNT: 43,611. DESCRIPTION: OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. AMOUNT: 435. DESCRIPTION: SPEAKER FELLOWSHIPS. AMOUNT: 2,000. TOTAL TO FORM 990-EZ, LINE 16: 46,086.</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
    </IRS990ScheduleO>
  </ReturnData>
</Return>