Water's Cool @ School

Water's Cool @ School Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Tennessee (all schools)

Program Focus: Install contactless bottle-filling stations at schools to promote water consumption and oral health education among students

Eligibility:

• Tennessee schools serving students in grades K-12
• Any school with an existing water fountain to replace

What is Awarded:

• Contactless Elkay bottle-filling station with installation
• Toothbrushes for all students, faculty, and staff
• Top 5 winners receive water bottles for all students, faculty, and staff

Program Details:

• Now in its third year (as of 2022)
• Aims to help students understand importance of drinking water
• Research shows about 50% of school-age children are underhydrated; 1 in 5 don't drink plain water during the day
• As of 2024, the program has installed 110 fountains across Tennessee
• Over 80 elementary and middle schools received grants in earlier cycles
• Grant announcements typically made in early 2023; installations scheduled for spring

Background: Launched to celebrate Delta Dental's 55th anniversary in 2021. Previous grant cycles (2021-2022) awarded to 55 schools, with additional rounds expanding to all K-12 schools.

How to Apply

1. Visit the application portal: DeltaDentalTN.com/WCS
2. Complete the online application form
3. Submit required materials:
- Photographs of the current water fountain to be replaced (helps inform installation process)
- Short video or creative project highlighting:
- How water is good for health and teeth
- Why your school needs the bottle-filling station
- What makes a healthy smile
4. Social media component (optional but encouraged):
- Share the creative project on social media with hashtag #WatersCoolTN
- Include a link to the project with the grant application
5. Creative project: Not required but applications with creative submissions are credited/prioritized

Submission Notes

• Schools encouraged (but not required) to submit creative projects
• Past examples available by searching #WatersCoolTN on social media
• Winners announced in early 2023 (for 2022 cycle); installations typically scheduled for spring