The Delta Dental Foundation is currently seeking applications from community-based oral health programs and organizations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana for its Brighter Futures Community Grants program. The submission deadline is September 30, 2015.
The program will award $150,000 in grants to organizations that specifically focus on children’s oral health and $100,000 in grants to organizations that primarily address oral health in adults. According to a press release from the foundation, each grant request will be considered and carefully reviewed in terms of eligibility and conformity with the guidelines.
In 2012, Delta Dental introduced Brighter Futures, an initiative dedicated to improving oral health for all children and adults through early education, advocacy, and philanthropy. In particular, Delta Dental is committed to increasing awareness about the importance of good oral health and helping improve a person’s oral and overall health and well-being.
“Through our Brighter Futures Community Grants program, we are proud to support local programs that are focused on helping improve and promote good oral health in the communities we serve,” said Teri Battaglieri, director of the Delta Dental Foundation. “By increasing access to dental care and educating children and adults about the importance of good oral health, we can ensure that more people receive the quality care they need to be healthy and to avoid serious, expensive, and unnecessary health problems down the road.”
Those submitting grants should keep in mind that Brighter Futures grants are limited to a maximum of $5,000 per grant. Grants must be dedicated to local not-for-profit programs designed to promote oral health in Michigan, Indiana, and/or Ohio. According to the foundation, they are particularly interested in programs designed to promote/improve the oral health of underserved or at-risk populations and those that have an oral health education component. Only one proposal per organization per year will be considered.
Upon submission, Delta Dental will evaluate each application based on factors such as the program’s focus on children, potential value to the community, measurable results, and the level of local community support it attracts.
Recipients will be announced in December 2015.
