A vision for the future

Help us support the growth and development of your profession

The Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF) was established by the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) in 1977. This charitable organization supports optometric research, education, and professional development through unrestricted cash grants to individuals or institutions. The COETF Awards Committee meets annually (generally in March) to consider applications. The deadline for application is typically in early February. Since its inception, COETF has awarded over two million dollars in grants. Click here for information about applying for funding from the COETF.

Why Lend Your Support? This is a trust fund for the profession supported by the profession. Research and academic support are vital to our profession and your charitable donations to the COETF foster growth and promote research in Canada. All money raised goes back into your profession and you will receive a charitable receipt for your donation. Currently COETF does not receive funding from corporate sponsors.

A message from Dr. Steve Mintz – COETF Funding in Action.

COETF funding in action

Since its inception in 1977 over two million dollars have been funneled from the Trust Fund to research, development and education. Applicants have received support for diverse projects including online publications, research and clinical studies.

Through its projects, the COETF has greatly improved the quality of vision and eye care services available to the Canadian public. The COETF gives out real money to real projects and the Trust Fund is opening new doors for new ideas that will resonate throughout the profession. Please make a donation now and help our profession to be stronger and better equipped to face the future of health care in Canada.

COETF – A vision for the future

Donate

To make an electronic donation using a credit card, and receive a charitable receipt, please click here.

Or, complete a donation form (click here for a donation form that you can print out) and mail to:

The Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF),
CRA Registration number 118834852RR0001
234 Argyle Avenue
Ottawa ON Canada
K2P 1B9
613-235-7924 ext. 210

Your contribution is appreciated.

For information on more ways to contribute to this worthy charity we have provided an overview of numerous charitable giving options

• estates, wills, bequests & legacies; tributes & memorials;
• workplace giving programs;
• stocks / securities;
• gifts of real estate;
• workplace giving programs;
• gifts of life insurance;
• gifts of tangible personal property;
• matching gifts.

The Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF),

CRA Registration number 118834852RR0001

234 Argyle Avenue

Ottawa ON Canada

K2P 1B9

613-235-7924 ext. 210

Wills, bequests & legacies; tributes & memorials

Wills: Leaving a bequest/legacy to a charity in your will can be an excellent way of supporting your profession after you are gone. Naming the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF) as a beneficiary in your will can reduce your estate tax and immeasurably benefit COETF.

Download a copy of the Bequests & Legacy form.

Tributes: When you make a gift to COETF in the form of a tribute, the person or estate you are honouring will receive a letter with text that reads: the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund is grateful to be the recipient of a contribution donated by (donor’s name) in support of optometric research, education, and professional development in Canada.

Memorials: Would you like to make a donation to honour a loved one or a valued colleague; or designate COETF as the recipient of donations in lieu of flowers to a remembrance ceremony? We would be happy to work with you to make individual arrangements for a sensitive situation in your life.

Download a copy of the Tributes & Memorials form.

Workplace giving programs

Dollars can be donated to the COETF through workplace charitable campaigns such as United Way. These contributions are either onetime gifts or can be automatically set up to go through payroll deduction, a program where employees choose specific amounts to be deducted from their paycheques and specific charities to receive their gifts. Write COETF and charitable #118834852RR0001 on your United Way pledge form. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund!

Employers – Match that donation!

Create a sense of community and enthusiasm by providing your employees with details on the countless ways the COETF has given back to your profession. Promise that you will match every dollar they contribute and encourage them to apply for the educational and research grants the COETF provides.

Other ways of donating to the COETF

Stocks / Securities

Donors may consider stocks and securities as an alternative to cash donations to COETF. Some reasons why:

• if you sell stock for cash, you pay the government capital gains taxes on the appreciated amount;

• donating stock eliminates capital gains taxes and provides the donor with a tax deductible receipt for the full market value of the securities.

Gifts of Real Estate

Deeding land, a residence or a vacation property to COETF will provide substantial income for COETF, while saving you the cost of capital gains taxes, and estate taxes. Please consult with a legal professional for the appropriate forms.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Naming COETF as the owner of a life insurance policy that is no longer required for your personal financial security or the security of your family can result in a significant charitable income tax deduction. If it is a policy for which all payments are current, you will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the cost basis of the policy. Were you to make a gift of a policy that hasn’t been paid in full, you would still be entitled to a tax deduction roughly equal to the policy’s cash surrender value.

You can also name COETF as a beneficiary or a partial beneficiary of a policy you retain.

Gifts of Tangible Personal Property

Works of art, jewelry, equipment, and collections can be contributed with the appraised value of the property providing an income tax deduction for the donor.

Application for Funding

Through its projects, the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund has greatly improved the quality of vision and eye care services available to the Canadian public. In order to continue to reach its goals, the COETF needs the financial support not only from those members of CAO who have pledged in the past, but also from more recent graduates and from those who have long since completed their original pledge programs.

Since 1980, the COETF has received applications and awarded funding to projects covering a vast and varied scope of research. The COETF Awards Committee meets annually (generally in March) to consider applications. The deadline for applications is typically in early February. Click on the following links for a copy of the COETF Application Form: English or French. Print and complete the form and mail with the appropriate enclosures to:

Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund

234 Argyle Ave

Ottawa, ON, K2P 1B9