Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc is based in Nashville and is a public charity whose primary purpose is providing dental benefits under contracts, primarily in Tennessee. The organization describes itself as Tennessee’s largest independent dental benefits carrier and says it works with individuals, families, and employers.
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc at a glance
In short: Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc gave $1.3M across 42 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), mostly in Tennessee. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,312,648
- -67.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,254
- -72.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $119,596,787
- +6.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (10 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1600 West End Avenue Suite 1700, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (888) 281-9396
Website: https://deltadentaltn.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc
Who Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Smile 180 Foundation ($174K). Together the top 10 received $790K.
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 152 grants of 192 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Tennessee is the primary geography reflected in the organization’s stated work and reported grantmaking. In 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Tennessee. The remaining shares were Georgia (6%), Illinois (3%), Washington, D.C. (2%), and Virginia (1%). The Water’s Cool @ School program covers Tennessee schools serving grades K–12; Bigger Smiles grants cover selected Tennessee counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 42 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $23K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2024) to $8.9M (2020). In 2024 it made 42 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Smile 180 Foundation Nashville, TN | Donation to the General Fund | $174,048 |
| Tennessee Performing Arts Center Nashville, TN | Event Sponsorship and Donation to the Capital Campaign | $125,000 |
| Alsacst Jude Children's Research Hospital Nashville, TN | Event Sponsorship and Donation to the General Fund | $110,700 |
| Music City Bowl Inc Nashville, TN | Event Sponsorship | $80,000 |
| Governor's Early Literacy Foundation Nashville, TN | Donation to the General Fund | $75,000 |
| Erlanger Foundation Chattanooga, TN | Event Sponsorship and Donation to the General Fund | $53,000 |
| The Salvation Army Atlanta, GA | Event Sponsorship | $52,000 |
| Hospital Hospitality House Nashville, TN | Event Sponsorship | $50,000 |
| Alzheimer's Association Chicago, IL | Event Sponsorship | $35,000 |
| Operation Stand Down Tennessee Nashville, TN | Event Sponsorship | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $119,596,787 | $261,606,699 | $253,631,336 | $1,312,648 | 42 | $3,306,598 |
| 2023 | $111,999,076 | $240,349,072 | $234,901,022 | $4,001,145 | 35 | $3,466,698 |
| 2022 | $101,403,448 | $223,582,648 | $219,400,219 | $5,811,488 | 39 | $1,940,859 |
| 2021 | $111,020,559 | $186,287,750 | $179,684,050 | $8,694,084 | 37 | $2,458,503 |
| 2020 | $107,658,660 | $188,603,893 | $183,015,303 | $8,861,983 | 39 | $1,409,643 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is “Ensuring healthy smiles.” Its stated vision is improving the overall wellness of communities. Its filing describes support for educational and research programs advancing dental science, public oral health education and services, clinics serving working-poor communities, ambulatory surgery centers, dental schools, and dental scholarships for third- and fourth-year students. Smile180 also supports Tennessee’s dental colleges, children’s hospitals, free and reduced-cost dental clinics, and like-minded charities.
The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation says its mission is to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee, while the Tennessee Golf Foundation says it promotes golf and its life-enhancing values, with an emphasis on youth, veterans, and disadvantaged people. Operation Stand Down Tennessee describes its work as engaging, equipping, and empowering veterans and their families. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not Delta Dental’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Delta Dental reported 42 grants totaling $1,312,648. Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $125,000, with a median of $20,000. The reported grant total was $4,001,145 across 35 grants in 2023 and $5,811,488 across 39 grants in 2022.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $125,000 to Tennessee Performing Arts Center for event sponsorship and a capital campaign donation; $110,700 to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for event sponsorship and a general-fund donation; $80,000 to Music City Bowl Inc for event sponsorship; and $75,000 to Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation for a general-fund donation. Other large awards included $53,000 to Erlanger Foundation, $50,000 to Hospital Hospitality House, and $35,000 each to the Alzheimer’s Association, Operation Stand Down Tennessee, and Tennessee Golf Foundation.
Delta Dental also describes two grant programs. Water’s Cool @ School is for Tennessee schools serving grades K–12 that have a water fountain to replace. The program provides a contactless bottle-filling station with installation and toothbrushes for students; top-awarded schools also receive water bottles for students, faculty, and staff. Bigger Smiles grants, offered in partnership with Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation, support enrollment growth for Imagination Library programs in selected Tennessee counties.
The organization states that donations are decided by senior staff and approved by the board as part of the annual budget. Contributions are monitored monthly by senior staff and reported to the board through monthly financial statements.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dr. Paul Bacon as chairman; Jean Evette White as vice chair; Bradley Lampley as second vice chair; and Martin D. Robinson as immediate past chair. It also lists Christopher Holmes, Dr. Fredrick Guthrie Jr., Dr. Jay Sheats II, Janet Miller, Jeremy Park, and Jerome Melson as directors.
The organization’s website identifies Jeff Ballard as its president and CEO and Phil A. Wenk, DDS, as executive director and CEO of the Smile180 Foundation.
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc is led by Jeffrey Ballard, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2022); all 25 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeffrey Ballard
President & CEO
President & CFO → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$910K (2022) → $1.2M (2024)
Paul Bacon
Chairman
Vice Chair → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $29K (2024)
Fredrick Guthrie Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2020) → $21K (2024)
Jay Sheats II
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Jerome Melson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $24K (2024)
Janet Miller
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $21K (2024)
Jeremy Park
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $19K (2024)
Christopher Holmes
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$22K (2022) → $21K (2024)
Bradley Lampley
Second Vice Chair
Director → Second Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$16K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Darlene Lemond
Manager & Operations
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $134K (2024)
David Pemberton
Manager, Sales & Account Management -
Manager, Sales & Account Management → Manager, Sales & Account Management -, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$155K (2020) → $186K (2024)
Emily Pearson
Account Executive
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$188K (2020) → $216K (2024)
Jean Evette White
Vice Chair
Second Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$19K (2020) → $23K (2024)
Jeffrey A. Newton
Senior Vice President Audit & Finance
Vice President Audit & Finance → Senior Vice President Audit & Finance, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$214K (2020) → $297K (2024)
Larry Hogg
Vice President Information Services
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$174K (2020) → $281K (2024)
Melissa Huschke
Chief Operating Officer
Vice President Corporate Operations → Chief Operating Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$232K (2020) → $546K (2024)
Michelle Acosta
Senior Vice President Brand Experience
Vice President Brand Strategy → Senior Vice President Brand Experience, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$224K (2020) → $298K (2024)
Philip A. Wenk
Former CEO
President & CEO → CEO, 2022
CEO → Former CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
$1.1M (2020) → $1.3M (2024)
Tracy Bailey
Account Executive
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$319K (2020) → $355K (2024)
William Hamilton III
Account Executive
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $244K (2024)
Amanda Conyer
Vice President & Qmi
Vice President Quality, Monitoring & Improv. → Vice President & Qmi, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$132K (2022) → $187K (2024)
Shanda Tucker
Chief Compliance Officer
Chief Compliance & Diversity Officer → Chief Compliance Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$355K (2022) → $480K (2024)
David Crenshaw
Chief Strategy Officer
Chief Legal & Strategy Officer → Chief Strategy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$68K (2023) → $308K (2024)
Martin D. Robinson
Immediate Past Chair
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$25K (2023) → $25K (2024)
Kenneth Barry Boster
Chief Revenue Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$37K (2024)
Former officers (9)
- Former: Drew Robinson (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Victor Beck (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair -
- Former: Aerial Ellis (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Chris Holmes (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Donna Kaye Martin (2020–2021) — Former Senior Vice President Operations
- Former: Jeff Ballard (2020–2021) — Vice President & CFO
- Former: Jerry R. Reavis Jr. (2020–2021) — Vice President Business Development -
- Former: Pamela Dishman (2020–2021) — Former Senior Vice President Employee Relations
- Former: Shanda Brown (2020–2021) — Chief Compliance & Diversity Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $1.3M, to Dr Philip a Wenk (Former CEO). 25 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc
How much does Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc give each year?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc gave $1.3M across 42 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $4.0M across 35 grants.
What is Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's typical grant size?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $31,254, across 42 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc that year got $11K on average.
Where does Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc give grants?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc gives mostly in Tennessee: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (19 grants), Knoxville, TN (4 grants), Franklin, TN (3 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 42) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Event Sponsorship" (23 grants).
Who are Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's largest grantees?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Smile 180 Foundation ($174,048), Tennessee Performing Arts Center ($125,000) and Alsacst Jude Children's Research Hospital ($110,700), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc reported $119.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $261.6M.
What does Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc fund?
The organization’s mission is “Ensuring healthy smiles.” Its stated vision is improving the overall wellness of communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check deltadentaltn.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's EIN?
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-0812197. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/delta-dental-of-tennessee-inc-morg_5506fbc8bd2a452583bca4a12be088fd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_620812197_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/delta-dental-of-tennessee-inc-morg_5506fbc8bd2a452583bca4a12be088fd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Delta Dental of Tennessee Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?