Community Grants Program

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Community Grants Program is a private philanthropic initiative administered by the charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois. The Foundation has a longstanding commitment to improving oral health outcomes across Illinois, with more than a decade of combined philanthropic investment exceeding thirty million dollars. Its mission centers on advancing oral health access, education, and workforce development, with a particular emphasis on improving the health and well being of children throughout the state. The Community Grants Program serves as a primary mechanism for distributing funding to nonprofit and public organizations aligned with these priorities. The purpose of the program is to support projects and initiatives that expand access to oral health care, increase awareness and education regarding oral health, and strengthen the oral health workforce. The Foundation prioritizes programs that directly serve children and underserved populations in Illinois. Funded activities may include direct service delivery, educational programming, and workforce training initiatives that help increase access to care. The program is designed to fund practical, community based solutions that demonstrate measurable impact and the potential for replication across the state. Funding is available in the form of one year grants ranging from 1000 to 20000 dollars. Allowable uses of funds include program or project costs, equipment and supplies necessary for implementation, and salaries directly related to the supported program. The Foundation explicitly excludes funding for capital construction, individual treatment costs, fundraising events, political activities, and projects unrelated to oral health. Additionally, the Foundation generally does not support routine distribution of oral hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes and toothpaste unless clearly justified. There is no indication of a matching requirement for this program. Eligibility is limited to organizations with a physical presence in Illinois that provide benefits to children residing in the state. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations classified as tax exempt under section 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as public or governmental entities such as schools and health departments. Organizations must demonstrate financial and operational stability, address underserved populations, and provide a clear plan for measuring outcomes. Preference is given to innovative programs that address unmet needs and can be scaled or replicated across Illinois. The application process requires submission through the Foundation’s grants management platform. Applicants must complete the full application by the stated deadline and may need to include documentation demonstrating organizational capacity, program design, and expected outcomes. Organizations that have previously received funding must submit a progress report from the prior grant period as part of their application. After award, all grantees are required to submit a final report at the conclusion of the project period to document outcomes and impact. The timeline for the current cycle indicates that applications are open and must be submitted by September 11 2026 at 5 00 p m. The review process will occur in October 2026, during which site visits may be conducted. Awards are expected to be announced in November 2026. Following the grant period, recipients must submit a final report by February 15 2028. The program operates on an annual cycle, allowing organizations to reapply each year, though prior funding does not guarantee future awards. Questions regarding the program may be directed to the Foundation contact, Jessica Vavra, via email.

Focus on underserved populations demonstrate measurable outcomes and provide innovative scalable models