Emergent & Relief Fund 2025

The Emergent & Relief Fund, administered by the CareQuest Institute, addresses systemic inadequacies in the health care system—particularly oral health—that fail to serve historically underserved communities. This grantmaking initiative was established to provide a flexible and responsive funding mechanism for organizations seeking to address pervasive, intersectional challenges that disproportionately impact marginalized populations across the United States. The Fund supports three strategic outcomes: the development of innovative approaches for ongoing pandemic and post-pandemic oral health response, the capacity of communities to provide immediate relief in crises such as natural disasters, and responses to urgent clinical issues that limit direct access to care for marginalized groups. The overarching intent is to fund organizations that prioritize equity in oral health, consistent with CareQuest Institute’s cross-cutting focus areas which include health and racial equity, social determinants of health, community-centered measurement, learning and capacity building, and innovation in oral health. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status and cannot be individuals or for-profit entities. Additionally, funding is not available for capital or operating expenses, direct services, mobile units, or procedure payments. All grant recipients, whether operating at the local, state, or national level, must show a clear commitment to addressing the needs of historically marginalized populations. The application process involves two phases. Phase 1 requires submission of a 500-word concept describing the issue being addressed, the proposed project, and the necessity of funding. Submissions are accepted through the CareQuest Institute’s Fluxx grants management portal at any time. Phase 2, accessible by invitation only, involves submitting a full proposal including a detailed project narrative, work plan, and budget. This phase allows applicants to articulate the full scope and implementation steps of their proposed project. For 2025, there are five grant cycles, each with specific timelines for concept submissions, proposal deadlines, and anticipated award announcements. For instance, the current application cycle closes on May 16, 2025, with proposals due by July 1 and awards expected in mid-October. All applications must be submitted through Fluxx. Those needing guidance may consult the portal’s instruction guide or contact a grants team member at grants@carequest.org. Early communication with the grants team is encouraged and can help refine concepts prior to submission.