Oral Health Access and Workforce Development

The Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) offers funding opportunities through its General Grants program to promote oral health equity, with a particular focus on underserved populations and people with disabilities. As part of Delta Dental’s philanthropic commitment, the Foundation provides financial support to initiatives that align with its five core pillars, which are not explicitly listed in the source but broadly involve advocacy, access, education, and workforce development. This program seeks to enable systemic change by empowering communities and supporting innovative programs that address barriers to oral health care. The Foundation prioritizes proposals from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, colleges, and universities operating in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. These entities must demonstrate alignment with DDF’s strategic plan, clear accountability structures, defined success measures, and a sustainable program model. Special emphasis is placed on serving vulnerable populations and evaluating the outcomes of proposed interventions, especially in promoting oral health equity. Applications undergo a merit-based review process, taking into account the clarity of objectives, impact potential, and long-term viability. Funding cannot be used for building construction, normal overhead, indirect costs, or commercial projects. DDF also refrains from supporting individuals (with limited exceptions), political activities, or organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, disability, and other protected categories. Grant proposals must demonstrate a thorough understanding of systemic challenges in oral health and offer credible, community-informed solutions. Applicants are required to submit proposals on a quarterly cycle. The grant deadlines for the 2025–2026 funding year are November 13, 2025; February 10, 2026; June 1, 2026; August 28, 2026; and November 4, 2026. These recurring deadlines indicate that the program operates on a regular quarterly cycle, and prospective applicants are advised to plan accordingly. There is no separate pre-application process (such as a letter of intent) indicated in the source material. To initiate an application, interested organizations are encouraged to contact DDF via email at [email protected] for inquiries or to discuss their program before applying. A preview of the application form is available through the Foundation's website. All grant recipients must submit a grant reporting form within one year of receiving funds or before applying for subsequent funding, whichever comes first. Evaluation of proposals goes beyond basic outputs and considers a "family of measures," assessing outcomes, processes, and unintended consequences. This comprehensive approach helps DDF understand the real-world impacts of its funding, inform future strategy, and articulate its value to stakeholders. Each grantee will work with the Foundation to define meaningful measures of success tailored to their project. Notification and award timelines are not specifically stated, but the quarterly review structure implies periodic evaluation and selection.

Clearly define outcomes and align with strategic plan for favorable review.