DDF Mini-Grants for Nonprofits Promoting Oral Health Care

The Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) offers grants to community organizations and programs that promote or provide oral health care and initiatives aligning with their strategic aims in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. These grants support DDF's mission to improve oral health in these states by funding local nonprofit programs dedicated to this cause. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on increasing access to dental care, reducing sugary food and beverage consumption, educating pregnant women and their babies about oral health, and improving children's oral health, particularly in school-based settings. The primary target beneficiaries of these grants are at-risk populations and children, as well as pregnant women and their babies. The DDF aims to achieve several impact goals, including enhancing access to essential dental services for underserved communities, mitigating the prevalence of dental issues linked to high sugar intake, and fostering better oral health habits from early stages of life through educational initiatives. The grants are limited to a maximum of $10,000, indicating a focus on supporting a broad range of smaller, impactful community-based projects. The DDF prioritizes programs that demonstrate a clear dedication to local nonprofit efforts in Michigan, Ohio, or Indiana. Key areas of focus include increasing access to dental care for vulnerable groups, implementing strategies to reduce the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and developing educational programs about oral health care for pregnant women and their infants. Furthermore, a significant emphasis is placed on improving children's oral health, especially through initiatives within school environments, recognizing the critical role of early intervention. The expected outcomes and measurable results for grant recipients include a tangible increase in the number of individuals from at-risk populations receiving dental care, a demonstrable reduction in sugary food and beverage consumption within program participants, and improved oral health knowledge and practices among pregnant women, new mothers, and children. The foundation evaluates applications based on merit, conformity with grant guidelines, funds available, and the potential to achieve desired results and program priorities, suggesting a theory of change that links targeted interventions with measurable improvements in community oral health.