Brighter Futures Community Grant Program Seeks to Help Fund Local Oral Health Programs

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Children miss 51 million hours of school each year because of oral health problems while adults miss a total of 164 million hours of work per year due to dental disease/dental visits.

Okemos, MI (PRWEB) June 03, 2014

The Delta Dental Foundation is currently seeking applications from community-based oral health programs and organizations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana for its Brighter Futures Community Grant Program. A submission deadline of Sept. 15, 2014 has been set.

Across the tri-state area, the program will award $150,000 in grants to organizations that specifically focus on children’s oral health and $100,000 in grants to organizations that primarily address oral health in adults. Each grant request will be considered and carefully reviewed in terms of eligibility and conformity with the guidelines.

In 2012, Delta Dental introduced Brighter Futures, an initiative dedicated to improving oral health for all children and adults through early education, advocacy and philanthropy. In particular, Delta Dental is committed to increasing awareness about the importance of good oral health and its connection to school and life success by reaching out to children and their parents.

“Children miss 51 million hours of school each year because of oral health problems while adults miss a total of 164 million hours of work per year due to dental disease/dental visits,” said Teri Battaglieri, director, Delta Dental Foundation. “We’re trying to combat these statistics. By supporting local organizations that focus on improving and promoting good oral health, we can help ensure underserved children and adults receive the dental care and oral health education they need to grow up healthy and prevent serious health problems down the road.”

Submission guidelines include:

•     Brighter Futures grants are limited to a maximum of $5,000 per grant.
•     Grants must be dedicated to local not-for-profit programs designed to promote oral health in Michigan, Indiana and/or Ohio.
•     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.
•     Only one proposal per organization per year will be considered.

Upon submission, Delta Dental will evaluate each application based on factors such as the program’s focus on children, potential value to the community, measurable results and the level of local community support it attracts.

Winners will be notified in November 2014.

For a grant application, additional guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit http://deltadentalmi.com/About/Giving-Back/Delta-Dental-Foundation/Delta-Dental-Foundation-Grants/Brighter-Futures-Community-Grant.aspx.

About Delta Dental Foundation
The Delta Dental Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 1980, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. The Foundation’s goals are to support education and research for the advancement of dental science, and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs. For more information, visit http://www.deltadentalmi.com/ddf.

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