Smiles for Kids Grant Program

The Smiles for Kids Grant Program, funded by the Delta Dental Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations in North Carolina by providing grants focused on children's oral health education initiatives, particularly in underserved areas. Since 2010, over $510,000 has been awarded, benefiting more than 330,000 children and their families. Grants are capped at $5,000 and are limited to one proposal per organization annually, ensuring targeted support for meritorious programs.

Through the Smiles for Kids program, the Delta Dental Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations throughout North Carolina to help fund dental education initiatives and programs designed to promote children’s oral health, especially to those in underserved areas.
Since 2010, the Smiles for Kids program has awarded more than $510,000 to programs across the state, ensuring that more than 330,000 children and their families received access to oral health care or education.
Criteria/Eligibility
In considering grants, the Delta Dental Foundation evaluates each application on its own merits. Of particular interest are programs designed to promote/improve the oral health of underserved or at-risk populations and to those which have an oral health education component.
The Delta Dental Foundation considers the programs in which the organization is engaged, the constituencies it serves, the services it offers, its accountability and its fundraising practices, and the level of local community support it attracts.
Although exceptions may be made, in general, grants are not provided for building construction or to cover an organization’s normal overhead expenses. Primary consideration is given to supporting meritorious programs or activities for which other sources of funding are unavailable. Grant recipients may reapply in future years, as long as a report detailing use/impact of the grant monies is provided with the application.
In addition:
The Smiles for Kids grants program is limited to a maximum of $5,000 per grant.Grants must be dedicated to local nonprofit programs designed to promote oral health in North Carolina.Only one proposal per organization per year will be considered.

Eligibility

Grants must be dedicated to local nonprofit programs designed to promote oral health in North Carolina.Only one proposal per organization per year will be considered.

Ineligibility

Smiles for Kids grants will not be awarded to/for the following:Capital campaigns, salaries, overhead/administrative expenses, endowments, advertising or fundraising activitiesIndividualsOrganizations that discriminate by race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age,disability, veteran status or national originPolitical organizations or campaignsLoansProjects developed for commercial or proprietary purposes