One Year Access to Care Grant

The AAPD Foundation, affiliated with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, is the largest dentist-led charitable organization in the United States solely dedicated to improving children's oral health. Since 2010, the Foundation has awarded over $11 million in funding to 168 nonprofit dental clinics across 36 states and the District of Columbia, benefiting more than 840,000 children. Their mission is rooted in the belief that all children deserve access to high-quality, continuous oral health care, regardless of their background, location, or life circumstances. The Foundation supports initiatives that address barriers to care, promote prevention, and improve dental service delivery in underserved communities. The 2026–2027 One-Year Access to Care Grant offers up to $30,000 per awardee for projects carried out between April 2026 and March 2027. The grant supports local organizations with a clear understanding of their communities' unique oral health needs and aims to enhance access to comprehensive care for children aged 18 and under. The grant is intended as an introductory opportunity. Organizations that successfully complete the one-year program may later be invited to apply for a Three-Year Access to Care Grant, contingent on providing quality reporting, data, and patient impact stories. In addition to funding, grantees receive a copy of the AAPD’s Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry and gain access to an online networking platform that facilitates collaboration and idea exchange among funded organizations. Acceptable uses of grant funds are broad, provided they directly support efforts that result in more children receiving dental care. Examples include transportation assistance (flights, rideshares, vehicle reimbursement), language access services (interpreters, translation of materials), purchasing instruments and supplies, educational tools (pamphlets, brushing charts, books), expanding clinic hours or staffing (including community health and outreach workers), and offsetting patient expenses. The Foundation explicitly welcomes nontraditional approaches, so long as they ultimately place child patients in dental chairs for comprehensive treatment. Eligible applicants include non-private dental and medical organizations based in the U.S. or its Territories. This includes 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits, university or community college-affiliated dental programs, county health departments, hospitals, and clinics. Private dental practices and international branches of U.S.-based organizations are ineligible. All proposed programs must operate under the direct supervision of a dentist, preferably a pediatric dentist. Applicants must ensure care is accessible to all children under 18, regardless of gender, race, income, immigration status, or insurance coverage. The application process is managed through the Foundant Technologies platform. Organizations must create or access their profile to submit the application. No password is required for the 2026–2027 application. The final deadline for submission is September 19, 2025. Review and approval occur between September 2025 and February 2026, with update notifications expected in December 2025 and February 2026. Grant agreements will be distributed in March 2026, and funds disbursed in April 2026. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals outside this process. For inquiries or assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact Jasmine Williams, Grants and Programs Assistant Manager, at jwilliams@aapdfoundation.org or by phone at (773) 938-4989. The Foundation also encourages interested applicants to reach out with any questions about project eligibility, especially in cases involving unique or innovative funding uses.

The Foundation encourages applicants to tailor proposals to local community needs and be specific in outlining how the funds will directly lead to increased access to care. Nontraditional approaches are welcome if they result in children receiving treatment.