CDA Foundation Dental Materials and Supplies Grant Program

The California Dental Association (CDA) Foundation administers the Dental Materials and Supplies Grant program to assist nonprofit organizations that provide charitable dental care to underserved populations in California. This initiative aligns with the CDA Foundation’s broader mission to improve oral health across the state by supporting community-driven dental services. Through this program, the Foundation partners with Henry Schein Cares, a philanthropic branch of the global healthcare company Henry Schein, to deliver essential dental materials and supplies to eligible nonprofits. These grants are provided in-kind and aim to offset material costs for organizations delivering crucial oral health interventions in resource-limited settings. The Dental Materials and Supplies Grant does not offer monetary awards. Instead, it supplies selected organizations with dental materials and supplies valued between $5,000 and $25,000 per year. The awarded materials are provided annually for a two-year period. The only expense incurred by recipient organizations is the cost of shipping. This model ensures that more organizations can benefit from the support while enabling them to allocate their financial resources directly to operational needs or expanding service capacity. Eligibility for the program is limited to organizations that hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and operate within the state of California, serving populations that are traditionally underserved in terms of oral healthcare. These organizations must be able to demonstrate both a charitable mission and the capacity to use a high volume of dental materials effectively. Priority is given to applications that show alignment with the CDA Foundation’s mission, serve communities in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), and reflect a strong community-based orientation with established partnerships. The grant application process is structured and requires online submission. Applicants must upload several mandatory documents in PDF format, including the organization’s current operating budget, a dental project-specific budget using a CDA-provided template, the IRS determination letter verifying nonprofit status, the most recent IRS Form 990 (or a letter explaining its absence if the organization is a government entity), a board member list on letterhead, and a recommendation letter from a health professional. Applications lacking any of these required documents will be disqualified. The grant cycle follows a predictable timeline. Applications are accepted from January 1 through March 31 annually. After review, the CDA Foundation announces results on October 30 via formal letters sent to all applicants. For recipients, the grant period begins on January 1 of the following year and continues for two years. Once selected, grantees are contacted by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation to finalize the donation agreement and coordinate the shipment schedule. The CDA Foundation emphasizes transparency and accountability in grant distribution. To ensure impartiality and compliance with IRS guidelines, the program explicitly excludes individuals and entities defined as “disqualified persons” under section 4958 of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes CDA Foundation insiders, their family members, and organizations in which such individuals hold significant ownership. This clause maintains the integrity of the program and safeguards its community-focused intent.

Applicants should clearly show alignment with the CDA Foundation’s mission and demonstrate capacity to dispense a high volume of supplies.