← Back to US Funders Directory

Patterson Dental Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,319,616 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 138 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $9,500
  • Grant Range: $4,500 - $22,500
  • Decision Time: 60-140 days
  • Geographic Focus: United States and Canada (Patterson Companies service areas)
  • Application Method: Rolling (two-step LOI process)

Contact Details

Address: 1031 Mendota Heights Road, Saint Paul, MN 55120

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (651) 686-1929

Website: https://ourpattersonfoundation.org

Overview

The Patterson Foundation was founded in 2000 by Patterson Companies executives Pete Frechette and Ron Ezerski to give back to the employees, industries, and communities that make Patterson Companies successful. The foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization (EIN: 74-3076772) that awarded $1,319,616 in grants to 138 organizations in 2023. Guided by current and former Patterson Companies employees serving as volunteer directors, the foundation focuses on helping underserved populations live healthier lives through strategic investments in oral health access, assistance dog programs, and agricultural youth education. The foundation operates on a quarterly grant cycle, with board meetings typically in April, June, October, and December. Beyond grant-making, the foundation also awards scholarships to Patterson employees' children and operates a "Dollars for Doers" program that donates $100 to organizations where Patterson employees volunteer.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Oral Health Grants: $5,000 - $16,900 Supports dental clinics and organizations providing dental care to disadvantaged communities. Grants help expand access to essential dental services for underserved populations.

Mission of Mercy (MOM) Event Grants: Up to $5,000 Funds for single-day or multi-day dental events providing free care. Grant amounts depend on the number of patients served and results from prior events if applicable.

Assistance Dog Program Grants: Up to $22,500 Supports organizations training service and assistance dogs for veterans and people with disabilities.

FFA (Future Farmers of America) Funding: Varies Provides grants to agricultural youth organizations for leadership education programs.

All grants are awarded quarterly following board meetings. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online portal, with deadlines 60-90 days prior to quarterly board meetings.

Priority Areas

  • Oral health programs expanding access to dental care for economically disadvantaged populations
  • Assistance dog organizations pairing service dogs with veterans and individuals with disabilities
  • Agricultural youth education programs fostering leadership development
  • Programs for youth with special needs
  • Occupational and physical rehabilitation programs
  • One-time projects or start-up costs (strong preference)
  • Programs involving volunteer professionals or students in dentistry, veterinary medicine, occupational or physical rehabilitation (strong preference)

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Restrictions:

  • Funding for individuals
  • Organizations primarily funded by government sources
  • Fraternal, social, veteran, or military organizations
  • Religious programs for religious purposes

Program/Activity Exclusions:

  • Direct costs of treatment or therapies
  • Scientific research
  • Conferences, seminars, or their proceedings
  • Fundraising or athletic events
  • Film or video productions
  • Political advocacy or lobbying
  • Emergency operating support
  • Staff or volunteer travel

Product/Service Restrictions:

  • Products or services sold by Patterson Companies and their subsidiaries, including dental software (Eaglesoft, Fuse, Dolphin, DDS Rescue, PattLock, AutoSDS, Dental Intelligence, Weave, Vyne Trellis, RevenueWell, Solutionreach, eReminders), payment platforms (Care Pay+, DentalXChange), and ePrescription services (DoseSpot, Pearl AI)
  • Supplies or services generally (grantees can apply for grants that fund programs and personnel, not supplies or services)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Karen Scott, President VP of Sales Enablement and Training, Patterson Dental Board member since 2020

Cara Cherry, Vice President Regional President, Patterson Dental Foundation member since 2023

Les Korsh, Secretary VP, General Counsel & Secretary, Patterson Companies Foundation member since 2016

Drew Brodin, Treasurer VP of Finance, Patterson and Patterson Animal Health Foundation member since 2023 Chair of Finance Committee

R. Steve Armstrong, Director Original Foundation Member since 2004 Retired Board Treasurer Retired Executive VP & CFO, Patterson Companies

Robert Rajalingam, Director Chief Executive Officer

George Henriques, Director President, Companion Animal, Patterson Animal Health Foundation member since 2006

Dale Spann, Director Retired VP of Marketing and Operations, Patterson Animal Health Foundation member since 2016

Christine Moore, Director Chief People and Communications Officer

Ron Ezerski, Foundation Director Emeritus (since 2022) Foundation co-founder and member 2004-2021 Retired Executive VP & CFO, Patterson Companies

Foundation Philosophy

As stated on their website: "The Patterson Foundation is guided by current and former Patterson Companies employees. As volunteer directors, each director contributes their time and energy to shepherd the mission of the Foundation." The foundation's motto is "Started by employees. Continued by employees," emphasizing its commitment to creating "meaningful impact for our employees, industries and communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Patterson Foundation uses a two-step application process with rolling deadlines:

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Submit LOI through the online Grants Management System at ourpattersonfoundation.org
  • Applications are continuously accepted and reviewed
  • Staff will review your LOI and determine if your program furthers the foundation's goals
  • If approved, you will be invited to complete the full application

Step 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

  • Complete the online application form if invited after LOI approval
  • Staff will help determine the best board meeting date for submission
  • Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST on the deadline
  • Application deadlines are 60-90 days prior to board meetings

Application Components:

  • Brief description of project and statement of need
  • Summary of organization, mission, and goals
  • Organization budget
  • Project budget

Eligibility Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations classified as public charities by the IRS
  • Organizations serving communities in Patterson Companies service areas (US and Canada)
  • Generally only single-year grant requests are considered

Post-Award Requirements:

  • Grantees must submit follow-up reports within one year of receiving funding
  • No additional funding will be provided until the follow-up report is received

Decision Timeline

Board Meetings: Quarterly - typically April, June, October, and December

Application Deadlines: 60-90 days prior to each board meeting

Review Period: Most applications that receive funding require 60 to 140 days for consideration and approval

Notification: Decision letters and award checks are mailed within 30 days of the board meeting

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation awarded 138 grants in 2023, 130 in 2022, 152 in 2021, 62 in 2019, and 51 in 2020. In 2019, 45 nonprofits received funding from the foundation.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation generally considers only single-year grant requests. Organizations that have received grants can reapply in subsequent years. Previous grantees must submit follow-up reports within one year before being eligible for additional funding.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Priorities

Selection Criteria: Grant applications are selected based on their alignment to the Patterson Foundation's mission and their ability to directly increase oral health access, service dog availability, and educational opportunities.

Strong Preference Areas: There is very strong preference for one-time projects or start-up costs, or programs involving volunteers who are professionals or students in dentistry, veterinary medicine, occupational, or physical rehabilitation.

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples

2023 Q3 Awards ($154,445 to 12 organizations):

  • Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island: $10,000 (Hilton Head, SC)
  • Autism Dog Services: $22,500 (Brantford, Ontario, Canada)
  • Iowa Dental Foundation (MOM): $5,000 (Des Moines, IA)
  • Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach: $5,000 (Southington, CT)
  • Colorado Mission of Mercy: $5,000 (Greeley, CO)

2023 Q2 Awards ($155,450 to 18 organizations):

  • Community Volunteers in Medicine: $10,000 (West Chester, PA)
  • Community Health Clinic of Butler County: $10,000 (Butler, PA)
  • Native American Community Clinic: $16,900 (Minneapolis, MN)

These examples demonstrate that successful grants typically fall in the $5,000-$16,900 range for oral health programs, with Mission of Mercy events receiving up to $5,000 and assistance dog programs receiving larger awards up to $22,500.

Geographic Consideration

Organizations must serve communities in Patterson Companies service areas throughout the United States and Canada. Patterson Companies has a broad geographic footprint in the dental and animal health industries, so most US and Canadian organizations are likely within their service area.

Focus on Programs, Not Products

Remember that the foundation funds programs and personnel, not supplies or services. Applications should emphasize programmatic impact rather than equipment or material needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two-step process saves time: The LOI system allows you to get initial feedback before investing time in a full application - only proceed to full application if invited
  • Strong preference for start-up and one-time costs: Position your request as seed funding or launch support rather than ongoing operational funding
  • Volunteer professional involvement is a major plus: Programs that engage dentists, veterinarians, or rehabilitation professionals as volunteers are strongly preferred
  • Plan ahead for quarterly cycles: With 60-90 day lead times before quarterly board meetings, plan your submission at least 3-4 months before you need funding
  • Geographic alignment matters: Ensure your organization serves communities in Patterson Companies service areas (broadly across US and Canada)
  • Budget for programs and people, not products: Focus your budget on staffing, program delivery, and services rather than equipment or supplies
  • Reporting is required for future funding: Budget time to complete follow-up reports within one year, as this is mandatory for future funding consideration

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory