Golden Opportunity Award
The Golden Opportunity Award celebrates the dream of doctors of optometry to own an independent practice.
David Golden, O.D. co-founder of the Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative Alliance (PERC) and EssilorLuxottica employee, passed away after a long-fought battle with cancer in September 2021.
Throughout his life, Dr. Golden was passionate about elevating those around him, helping others climb the ladder of success. Through his co-founding of PERC, he assisted thousands of small business owners by leveling the playing field and teaching them how to grow their businesses.
In that spirit, the Golden Opportunity Award was created, a collaborative effort between The AOA Foundation and PERC Alliance. The Golden Opportunity Award is presented to applicants who wish to achieve the dream of owning their first independent practice. In this way, Dr. Golden’s uplifting legacy lives on.
Golden Opportunity Awards of $50,000 each will be awarded annually to as many as three deserving optometrists to create the financial foundation of an independent practice. The committee emphasizes recognizing and awarding individuals from an underrepresented group within the optometric community, or those seeking to build a practice in an underserved area or for a population in need.
Winners are announced at Optometry’s Meeting in June, coinciding with Dr. Golden’s birthday.
Application Overview
The committee responsible for evaluating the Golden Opportunity Award is committed to a thorough and equitable assessment process that considers a diverse range of factors. Application questions have been crafted to gather comprehensive insights into applicants' personal achievements, challenges and future goals. Financial questions are designed to understand each applicant's unique financial context, enabling the committee to make informed decisions that align with the program's goal of providing golden opportunities to those who will benefit most.
2027 Application Timeline
Friday, October 15, 2026 -Applications Open
Sunday, January 31, 2027 - Applications Close -
April 2027 -Finalists Selected -
May 2027 - Finalists present to the awards committee in person or virtually
June 2027 -Winners are announced at Optometry's Meeting
Golden Opportunity Award is proudly sponsored by:
OiO Grants Celebrates 5 years of over 100 grants
Opportunities in Optometry grant celebrates five years and 100 recipients