Charities
There are a number of charities providing eye care services in Canada and internationally. CAO does not generally donate directly to eye care charities, however, we periodically profile charitable activities in CAO publications. We also encourage CAO members to consider volunteer service work with groups such as www.vosh.org, www.twecs.ca and the University of Waterloo chapter of VOSH.
Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund
In 1977, CAO formed the COETF which is a federally registered charitable organization that supports optometric research, education, and professional development through cash awards to research projects or institutions. The CAO national office provides administrative support to COETF. For information about how to make a tax refundable donation to COETF and applications for funding, click here.
Optometry Giving Sight
In 2005, CAO designated Optometry Giving Sight as its international charity by way of in kind support and promotion. Optometry Giving Sight was established in 2003 to address the needs of the 670 million around the world who are blind or vision impaired simply because they don’t have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses. For more information, visit www.givingsight.org.
