Smiles Across New Mexico Grant Program

Delta Dental of New Mexico, a not-for-profit corporation established in 1971, serves the oral health needs of New Mexicans through a combination of insurance products, advocacy, education, and philanthropic efforts. As part of its commitment to community wellness, the organization offers the Smiles Across New Mexico grant program. This initiative is specifically designed to support dental education and oral health initiatives for underserved or at-risk populations within the state of New Mexico. It reflects Delta Dental’s long-standing mission to enhance the quality of life by improving access to oral health care and promoting preventive practices. The program aims to reduce oral disease by promoting education, prevention, and treatment. It seeks to increase awareness about the importance of oral hygiene, particularly among children and individuals with limited access to care. By funding community-driven oral health programs, the initiative helps ensure that vulnerable populations receive timely, affordable, and high-quality dental services. Ultimately, the program aspires to elevate New Mexico to a leadership position among states in oral health outcomes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and individuals operating in New Mexico. Applicants must present programs that promote or improve oral health and often include an educational component. The program places a strong emphasis on the applicant’s engagement with its community, the populations served, the accountability measures in place, and demonstrated local support. Preference is given to 501(c)(3) organizations, and each applicant is limited to one submission per year. Smiles Across New Mexico grants are capped at $5,000 per award. Funds must be used for local, New Mexico-based programs. While exceptions may occur, the grant generally does not cover construction costs or an organization’s overhead or operating expenses. Projects related to capital campaigns, advertising, salaries, endowments, or administrative expenses are also ineligible. Additionally, grants are not available to individuals or entities engaged in discriminatory practices, political activity, or commercial ventures. Applications are evaluated based on their alignment with the grant’s goals and the potential impact of the program. Grant recipients may reapply in future years, provided they submit a report detailing the previous grant’s use and outcomes. The application window for the 2026 cycle opens on February 1, 2026, and closes at 5:59 AM GMT on April 1, 2026. Awards are typically given to programs with clear goals, measurable impacts, and demonstrated community support. Interested applicants should review the official grant guidelines, available as a downloadable PDF, to understand the full eligibility and evaluation criteria. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the grant administrators. Given the competitive nature of the grant and the limited funding, applicants are encouraged to submit strong, well-supported proposals that clearly align with the program’s mission.