Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc
The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation is a nonprofit corporate foundation established by Delta Dental of Arkansas (Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas, Inc.) and based in Sherwood, Arkansas. Founded in 2008, the Foundation is dedicated to improving oral health and access to dental care across Arkansas. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and serves as the philanthropic arm of the state's largest dental benefits administrator.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.4M
+21.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+72.9% YoY
Grant Count
47
+51.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
+14.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $881K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to improve oral health and access to dental care throughout Arkansas, with particular emphasis on addressing disparities in oral health access among underserved populations. The Foundation works through grants, outreach efforts, and educational campaigns to enhance the overall well-being of Arkansans by fostering better dental hygiene practices and increasing awareness of the importance of oral health.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education Grants – Increasing oral health knowledge and empowerment through community partnerships that reach unserved, uninsured, and underinsured Arkansas residents of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic statuses
- Community Grants – Supporting free and low-cost dental clinics, dental education programs, and various oral health initiatives focused on prevention and treatment
- Strategic Grants – Supporting organizations that discover, test, and share creative ideas to improve oral health and inspire equitable change
- Oral Health Education Grants – Increasing oral health knowledge, understanding, and empowerment for individuals across Arkansas
Grantmaking
The Foundation offers multiple grant programs to serve different community needs:
Grant Range
of $30,000. The Foundation made 31 grants in its most recent reporting period, with a maximum individual grant of $208,000. Recent grant announcements indicate awards of $185,000 and larger funding cycles supporting multiple organizations annually.
How to Apply
Applicants can contact the Foundation at foundation@deltadentalar.com with questions. The Foundation provides grant guidelines and application and reporting documents for each program.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Arkansas, with some activity in Texas. All major funding initiatives emphasize statewide support to communities and nonprofit organizations throughout Arkansas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $15,946,517 (2023); $19,392,832 (most recent filing)
Annual Giving: The Foundation distributes over $1 million annually in support of oral health initiatives
Total Revenues: $3,986,770 (2023)
Total Expenses: $1,229,156 (2023)
Contributions: $3.6 million (most recent period)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,392,832 | $15,946,517 | $12,851,841 |
| Revenue | $3,027,920 | $3,986,770 | $3,756,311 |
| Expenses | $2,189,513 | $1,229,156 | $770,637 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,110,587 | $1,204,151 | $718,506 |
| Net Investment Income | $415,132 | $400,820 | $167,788 |
| Distributable Amount | $880,993 | $696,232 | $550,033 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
202 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc
DDAF Community Grants
DELTA DENTAL OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $2,500 - US $40,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
DDAF Mini Grants
DELTA DENTAL OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
DDAF Oral Health Education Grants
DELTA DENTAL OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $2,500 - US $30,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arkansas Mission of Mercy Inc ($600,000), School-based Health Alliance of Arkansas ($208,154), Tri County Rural Health Network Inc ($184,117).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY AND RURAL EDUCATION LITTLE ROCK, AR | EDUCATION GRANT | $29,517 |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC LITTLE ROCK, AR | STRATEGIC | $28,400 |
| ARKANSAS IMMUNIZATION ACTION COALITION LITTLE ROCK, AR | EDUCATION GRANT | $17,572 |
| ARKANSAS MISSION OF MERCY INC SHERWOOD, AR | STRATEGIC | $600,000 |
| ARKANSAS ORAL HEALTH COALITION LITTLE ROCK, AR | EDUCATION GRANT | $15,470 |
| ARKANSAS SPECIAL OLYMPICS NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR | COMMUNITY GRANT | $10,000 |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION LITTLE ROCK, AR | EDUCATION GRANT | $30,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BENTON COUNTY INC BENTONVILLE, AR | COMMUNITY GRANT | $30,250 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY RUSSELLVILLE, AR | EDUCATION GRANT | $25,125 |
| CARTER'S CREW LITTLE ROCK, AR | EDUCATION GRANT | $28,360 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Dr. Joseph W. Thompson – Chairman
- Blake Woolsey – Vice Chairman
- Billy Tarpley – Treasurer/Secretary
- Kristin Merlo – President
- Susan Smith – Director
- Dr. Jim Phillips – Director
- Dr. Cara Jones – Director
- Wayne Callahan – Director
- Sarah Clark – Director
- Tamika Edwards – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR JOSEPH W THOMPSON | CHAIRMAN | 3 | — |
| BLAKE WOOLSEY | VICE CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| BILLY TARPLEY | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| KRISTIN MERLO | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| SUSAN SMITH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR JIM PHILLIPS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR CARA JONES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WAYNE CALLAHAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SARAH CLARK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TAMIKA EDWARDS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In November 2024, the Foundation awarded a $185,000 grant to fund community health workers bringing healthy smiles to underserved Delta residents through oral health education and resources.
Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Revises Major Grant ProgramThe Foundation has maintained active grant cycles, with recent announcements of major grant awards including $1+ million in grants awarded in 2023 and $500,000+ in grants awarded in 2022. The Foundation opened its 2024 Community Grant cycle and has revised major grant programs to better serve community needs.
Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Revises Major Grant ProgramSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's mission is to improve oral health and access to dental care throughout Arkansas, with particular emphasis on addressing disparities in oral health access among underserved populations. The Foundation works through grants, outreach efforts, and educational campaigns to enhance the overall well-being of Arkansans by fostering better dental hygiene practices and increasing awareness of the importance of oral health. Primary funding areas include: • **Education Grants** – Increasin…
How do I apply for a grant from Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc?
The Foundation offers multiple grant programs to serve different community needs: **Mini Grants** • Up to $2,500 for projects making an impact in community oral health **Super Smiles at School Grants** • Up to $2,500 for school-based oral health programs expanding education and access to care **Community Grants** • Focused on projects and initiatives improving access to treatment and/or prevention oral health services for underinsured and underserved populations • Support for preventive service…
Where does Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Arkansas, with some activity in Texas. All major funding initiatives emphasize statewide support to communities and nonprofit organizations throughout Arkansas.
What size grants does Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $881K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc's EIN?
Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1569324. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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