Smiles for Kids Grant Opportunity

Delta Dental Foundation announces call for grant applications

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Delta Dental Foundation is currently seeking applications from nonprofit organizations to help fund dental education initiatives and programs designed to promote children’s oral health, especially to those in underserved areas.

The Smiles for Kids grant program will award up to $40,000 to organizations. Each grant request will be considered and carefully reviewed in terms of eligibility and conformity with the guidelines. A submission deadline of Sept. 15, 2014 has been set.

“Tooth decay remains the number one most common chronic childhood disease today,” said Curt Ladig, president and chief executive officer, Delta Dental of North Carolina. “Plus, oral health problems like tooth decay are leading children to miss 51 million hours of school each year. By supporting programs that focus on improving and promoting good oral health habits among children, we can help ensure they grow up healthy and show up to school every day pain-free and ready to learn.”

Submission Guidelines

• Smiles for Kids grants are limited to a maximum of $5,000 per grant.
• Grants must be dedicated to local not-for-profit programs designed to promote children’s oral health in North Carolina.
• Of particular interest are programs designed to promote/improve the oral health of underserved children in at-risk populations.
• 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. Those selected to receive a grant will be notified in November 2014.

“We know there are many wonderful organizations in North Carolina that share our mission to improve the oral health of our communities,” stated Ladig. “We look forward to receiving many applications.”

For a grant application, additional guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit www.deltadentalnc.com/About/Serving-Our-Community.aspx.

About Delta Dental Foundation

The Delta Dental Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 1980, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. The Foundation’s goals are to support education and research for the advancement of dental science, and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs.

For more information, visit www.deltadentalnc.com.