Strategic Initiative Grants

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation's Strategic Initiative Grants aim to enhance oral health equity for underserved populations in Arkansas. By funding innovative projects, the foundation seeks to empower communities, improve access to dental care, and promote systemic change. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and charitable organizations focused on addressing oral health disparities. The grants encourage collaborative efforts that demonstrate financial stability and a clear project plan, supporting initiatives that can be replicated for broader impact.

We support initiatives that prioritize oral health issues and are committed to health equity. Grant-Making FocusThe Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation (DDARF) Strategic Initiative grants help organizations discover, test, and share creative ideas that will improve oral health for everyone and inspire, empower, and connect leaders to better lead equitable change.It is the intention that funded programs will align with DDARF’s strategic goals to deliver:
Empowerment & Knowledge: Opportunities that strengthen the connection of oral health to overall health and wellness for individuals, families, and communities.Equitable Access: Opportunities that support oral health initiatives that meet individuals where they live, work, and play; prioritizing health equity and social determinants of health.Systemic Change & Advancement: Opportunities to test innovative ideas that challenge existing oral health processes and can be successfully replicated.
Grant Overview
Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation’s Strategic Initiative Grant program provides statewide support to nonprofit organizations focusing on efforts that involve a range of activities, from advocacy to changing socio-cultural perceptions and actions that seek to improve oral health through positive social and behavior change. This could refer to large-scale programs or small-scale ideas with the potential to expand and replicate.
We prefer proposals that improve oral health systems in order to make the state more equitable in terms of opportunities and outcomes, specifically for uninsured and underinsured Arkansans. We welcome initiatives that complement or amplify other programs we’ve already funded, particularly those aligned with our strategic roadmap.
We welcome grant requests that have a clear oral health focus and incorporate one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated operational and financial stability,
• A project plan detailing how and when the program will be carried out and who will be responsible for each task,
• Ability to monitor, assess, and document the impact of the change(s) being sought, strategies being used, and the progress being made,
• Active collaboration among organizations, schools, and dental and/or healthcare providers,
• Inclusion of diverse groups,
• Wrap-around support that links participants to other social services,
• Initiation of oral health programs in counties where none or few exist, and/or
• Previously funded organizations that have submitted complete interim and/or final reports

Eligibility

Applicants must be an Arkansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government agency, school, or charitable dental treatment facilityEligible organizations are encouraged to submit only one Strategic Initiative Grant proposal annually.  Oral health programs must target underserved, unsured, and/or underinsured Arkansans.Funding may be used for single or multi-year projects.Applications are accepted year-round, and we ask that interested organizations start by submitting a Letter of Interest to share details about the project idea.

Ineligibility

Typically Not FundedDental treatment expensesCapital campaignsIndividualsFundraising events/sponsorshipsPrivate foundations and endowmentsReduction of organizational debtExcessive salary costs, travel, or incentives/giftsPrograms that discriminate on any basis