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Delta Dental Community Care Foundation

Annual Giving
$16.3M
Grant Range
Up to $1.7M00
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16.3 million (2024-2025 Access to Care Grants)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only process)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly - from small community grants to $1.67 million for specialized programs
  • Geographic Focus: 15 states (AL, CA, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, MT, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT, WV) plus Washington, D.C.

Contact Details

Email: foundation@delta.org

Address: 560 Mission St Ste 1300, San Francisco, CA 94105-0938

Website: https://www1.deltadentalins.com/foundation.html

Overview

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, established in 2008, is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies. Since 2012, the Foundation has granted more than $170 million to support nonprofit partners across 15 states and Washington, D.C. Led by Vice President Kenzie Ferguson, the Foundation focuses on increasing access to oral health care, funding oral health education, supporting scientific research, and investing in community needs. In 2022, the Foundation significantly expanded its mission by launching a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative to address the oral health crisis among older adults. The San Francisco Business Times has recognized Delta Dental of California as one of the top 20 corporate philanthropists in the San Francisco Bay Area for seven consecutive years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Access to Care Grants: The Foundation's flagship program, which awarded $16.3 million to 215 nonprofit organizations in 2024-2025. These grants support dental clinics and organizations providing oral health services to underserved populations. Awards range significantly based on project scope and geographic reach.

Senior Oral Health Partnership Program: A multi-year initiative with more than $20 million committed to address the oral health crisis among older adults. Recent partnerships include $5 million over five years for the Mississippi Delta region. The Foundation's largest single dental school grant was $1.67 million to UCLA Dentistry for the MINDFUL Project (mobile care in dentistry for underserved populations living in long-term care facilities).

Research and Scholarship Grants: Support for dental and dental hygiene student scholarships and scientific research related to oral health.

Community Investment Grants: Local grants awarded through four employee-led community councils supporting programs for children and adults in need.

Priority Areas

  • Dental clinic services for underserved, low-income, and/or uninsured persons
  • Oral health crisis among older adults (strategic priority since 2022)
  • Health equity and eliminating oral health disparities
  • Rural oral health access
  • Community oral health programs and education
  • Oral health care for persons with disabilities
  • Scientific research related to oral health

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation indicates it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and typically does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, though organizations that believe they are a good fit are encouraged to reach out.

Governance and Leadership

Kenzie Ferguson, Vice President of Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility: Ferguson joined Delta Dental of California in April 2019 and leads the Community Care Foundation's strategic initiatives. She has stated: "Through Delta Dental's decades of experience in the oral health care sector, we know that the unmet oral health needs of older adults represent a public health crisis and a serious gap in America's health ecosystem." She emphasizes: "At Delta Dental, we're driven by our purpose to improve health by providing access to quality care. We believe that good health starts with a healthy mouth. By improving access to oral health care, we can help people live healthier lives."

The Foundation operates under Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies, including Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, and Delta Dental of New York, Inc.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. Grant support is by invitation only; however, the Foundation encourages organizations that believe they are a good fit to reach out to foundation@delta.org.

The Foundation identifies potential partners through its established networks, relationships with community health organizations, and knowledge of the oral health care landscape across its 15-state service area.

Getting on Their Radar

Direct Outreach: Organizations that align with the Foundation's priority areas (particularly serving underserved populations, addressing senior oral health, health equity, or rural access) should contact foundation@delta.org with a brief introduction to their work.

Community Council Engagement: The Foundation has four employee-led community councils that award local grants. Building relationships with Delta Dental employees engaged in community work may provide insight into local funding opportunities.

Partnership Networks: The Foundation works closely with dental schools, community health centers, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Organizations already in these networks may be more visible to Foundation staff.

Demonstration of Impact: Given the Foundation's focus on measurable outcomes and serving those most in need, organizations should be prepared to demonstrate their track record of serving underserved, low-income, uninsured, elderly, or disabled populations requiring oral health care.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. The Foundation announces its Access to Care Grants program awards annually, with the 2024-2025 awards announced in August 2024.

Success Rates

Not publicly available due to the invitation-only application process. However, the Foundation awarded grants to 215 organizations in 2024-2025 and has supported over 300 nonprofit partners and community health clinics throughout its history.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Given the invitation-only nature of the grants, ongoing relationships with funded organizations appear to be common, as evidenced by multi-year commitments to partnership programs.

Application Success Factors

Focus on Underserved Populations: The Foundation prioritizes organizations serving low-income, uninsured, underserved, elderly, and disabled individuals. Demonstrable commitment to these populations is essential.

Strategic Alignment with Current Priorities: Since 2022, the Foundation has placed significant emphasis on senior oral health. Kenzie Ferguson noted that the 2024-2025 Access to Care Grants are "focused on addressing the most pressing issues facing oral health care today, from the senior oral health crisis to health equity to access to care in rural communities."

Geographic Relevance: Organizations must operate within the Foundation's 15-state service area: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

Evidence-Based Approach and Measurable Impact: The Foundation values programs with clear goals and measurable outcomes. The UCLA MINDFUL Project and Penn Dental Medicine grants both included specific programmatic components (mobile care units, full-time educators, targeted training sessions) with defined populations to serve.

Partnership and Collaboration: Multi-year partnership programs demonstrate the Foundation's interest in sustained, collaborative relationships. Initial partnerships in Washington, D.C. (Howard University College of Dentistry and Mary's Center) and recent expansion to Southern California and Mississippi show a model of community-driven partnerships.

Innovative Service Delivery: Projects like mobile dental units (Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County's Smile Mobile) and specialized programs for persons with disabilities show the Foundation values innovative approaches to reaching underserved populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: Proactive outreach to foundation@delta.org is necessary, highlighting your organization's fit with Foundation priorities
  • Senior oral health is a strategic priority: Programs addressing the oral health needs of older adults, particularly those living in poverty or with mobility issues, align with the Foundation's expanded mission
  • Health equity matters: Projects addressing disparities among people of color, rural communities, and other underserved populations are prioritized
  • Geographic eligibility is strict: Ensure your organization operates within the 15 states plus D.C. served by Delta Dental of California and affiliates
  • Multi-year partnerships are possible: The Foundation has committed millions over multiple years to partnership programs, indicating openness to sustained relationships beyond single grants
  • Community health centers and dental schools are valued partners: FQHCs and academic institutions have received significant funding
  • Demonstrate measurable impact: Be prepared to articulate specific outcomes, populations served, and how the grant will increase access to oral health care

References

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