The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has announced an initiative to transform the state’s oral health through collaboration, innovation, education and service. The company has previously focused on more transactional giving by funding community-led education, prevention and treatment programs.
Delta Dental of Arkansas is the largest dental benefits provider in the state, helping more than 800,000 Arkansans keep their smiles healthy through commercial and Medicaid coverage. As a not-for-profit company, Delta Dental regularly commits to improving the oral health of all Arkansans through the philanthropic efforts of its foundation. The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, to date, has contributed more than $25 million to organizations across the state.
As part of its new transformative mission, the foundation will award up to $1.2 million in strategic initiative grants. Its funding decisions will focus on fostering a spirit of innovation, collaboration and communication. Support will aim to help grantees shape their ideas, scale their existing efforts or enact ambitious long-term goals. Those interested in starting a conversation about how they want to transform oral health may email [email protected] or submit a letter through the online grant portal.
“If we want to prevent severe oral health issues in our state, and reduce costly interventions later on, we must be bold in our solutions,” said Chrissy Chatham, executive director of Delta Dental AR. “We want to partner with organizations that have the ideas and determination needed to drive lasting change.”
In addition to strategic initiative grants, the foundation will offer traditional funding opportunities, including Mini Grants of up to $2,500; Community Grants of up to $30,000; and Super Smiles at School Mini Grants of up to $2,500.
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