ADA Humanitarian Award
Funding Amount
$10,000
Deadline
May 1, 2027
218 days left
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
ADA Humanitarian Award
Overview: Recognition open to member dentists who have distinguished themselves by giving a minimum of 10 years to improving oral health of underserved populations in the United States.
Award Details:
Eligibility:
Award Criteria - Recipients must exemplify humanitarian ideals by:
Status: 2026 Humanitarian Award Portal now closed. 2027 submission portal will open May 1, 2026.
Contact: CAAP@ada.org
Geographic Scope: United States
How to Apply
Nomination Instructions
1. Who Can Nominate: Any individual may nominate any eligible ADA member. Nominator limited to one Humanitarian Award nomination per year.
2. Submission Method: All documentation must be submitted in electronic form via nomination portal. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
3. Required Documentation:
- Nomination Information: Complete nomination addressing:
- Commitment (minimum 10 years) and extraordinary humanitarian services of nominee
- Ongoing legacy to be left
- Specific actions employed
- Demonstrated leadership skills, knowledge, dedication, persistence
- Work to improve oral health prospects of specific community(ies)
- Population groups served
- Long-term impact of endeavors
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume: Highlighting humanitarian contributions
- Three Letters of Support: From specific individuals who are not the nominator (only first three will be considered if more submitted)
- One Letter from State/Local Dental Society: In support of nominee
- Supporting Documentation: At nominator's discretion including testimonials, photographs, brochures, newsletters, etc. (CDs, DVDs, videos, or excessive material will not be considered)
4. Important Notes:
- All nominations become property of ADA, which may use for program promotion, information dissemination, professional education
- Nominations will not be returned
- Review criteria and requested information thoroughly before submitting to ensure completeness
5. Contact for Questions: CAAP@ada.org
What American Dental Association actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 59
- Total given
- $18.15M
- Median grant
- $57K
- Range
- $5,000–$14.1M
- By dollars: Massachusetts 79%, Rhode Island 3%, California 1%. Top recipient cities: Las Vegas, NV; Somerville, MA; Warwick, RI.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 19% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Ada Forsyth Institute · Somerville, MA
Public Support
$14.1M
Rhode Island Dental Association · Warwick, RI
public support
$504K
Mississippi Dental Association · Flowood, MS
public support
$186K
California Dental Association · Sacramento, CA
public support
$175K
Massachusetts Dental Society · Southborough, MA
public support
$170K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
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