DDAZ Foundation Program Grants

The DDAZ Foundation Program Grants support eligible organizations and public entities serving underserved and uninsured populations. For the 2027 grant cycle, the foundation has expanded its community grant program to include vision programs intended to help uninsured and underinsured individuals obtain eye exams, glasses, and vision education. The program also continues to support work addressing dental health, medical-dental integration, food insecurity and nutrition. The application period opens September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM MST and closes October 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM MST. Grant funds must be allocated to a program and may not be used for general operating support. Eligible program areas are dental disease prevention, education and treatment; medical-dental integration; food insecurity and access and nutritional programs; and vision education, prevention and treatment. Programs must benefit underserved, uninsured populations of all ages. The source states that organizations are eligible to receive only one grant. The foundation does not fund individuals, sponsorship or attendance at conferences, religious activities, reduction of organizational debt, direct lobbying or influencing elections, duplication of existing services, or fundraising campaigns and expenses. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Arizona Corporation Commission, public schools, federally recognized Indian tribes, and government entities. The nonprofit eligibility requirement specifically identifies good standing with the Arizona Corporation Commission. No fiscal sponsorship provisions, requirements for other nonprofit classifications, organizational size requirements, minimum operating histories, or other applicant qualifications are stated in the supplied material. No matching or cost-share requirement is identified, and the source does not provide an award minimum, award maximum, total program funding amount, or anticipated number of awards. The DDAZ Foundation favors requests from applicants that demonstrate operational and financial stability and the ability to report measurable, meaningful outcomes. It also favors active collaboration, when appropriate, among organizations, schools, and dental and/or healthcare providers, as well as inclusion of diverse groups. Additional favored practices include implementation of referral protocols connecting individuals who need dental care with a source of care and initiation of dental sealant programs within existing oral health programs, particularly in counties where such programs do not currently exist. Organizations previously funded by the foundation are also expected to have submitted timely and complete Interim and Final reports. Applicants that have not previously completed a DDAZ Foundation Grant Application are instructed to register their organization using the green Register box at the top right of the application screen. Registration is an account or organizational setup step rather than a competitive pre-application stage. After registration and review of the stated requirements, applicants are instructed to click the APPLY button to begin the application. The supplied material does not identify a letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other competitive pre-application gate. It also does not provide a detailed list of application questions, required attachments, named financial documents, or narrative components. Applications are accepted beginning September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM MST and must be submitted by October 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM MST. Based on the stated evaluation preferences, applicants should clearly demonstrate organizational stability, measurable program outcomes, appropriate collaboration and inclusion, and relevant referral or sealant strategies when applicable to their proposed work. Previously funded applicants should ensure required Interim and Final reports have been submitted completely and on time. The supplied information does not state an award notification date, project start date, period of performance, contact person, program email address, telephone number, recurring annual schedule, or next application cycle.

Demonstrate operational and financial stability; report measurable, meaningful outcomes; show active collaboration when appropriate; include diverse groups; implement referral protocols linking individuals needing dental care with a source of care; consider dental sealant programs within existing oral health programs, particularly where none exist; previously funded applicants should submit timely and complete Interim and Final reports.