Advancing Equity Through Oral Health Fund

The "Advancing Equity Through Oral Health Fund" is a grant opportunity led by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a national nonprofit organization committed to transforming the oral health system to be more equitable and accessible. Their philanthropic work centers on health transformation, policy and advocacy, data insights, and innovative approaches to healthcare. Through this fund, CareQuest aims to address systemic barriers and promote health and racial equity across communities, particularly those historically underserved or marginalized. The fund offers multiple sub-programs targeting different aspects of oral health systems change. These include Policy and Advocacy, Community Capacity and Voice, Care Delivery, and Research. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with one or more of CareQuest’s four foundational pillars: applying a health and racial equity approach, strengthening infrastructure through partnerships, engaging communities most impacted by systemic challenges, and pursuing policy or systems change at local, state, or federal levels. Each sub-program includes a detailed set of evaluation questions, allowing applicants to describe their goals, strategies, data use, and equity lens in-depth. For example, the Policy and Advocacy track invites applicants to influence federal or state oral health policies such as Medicaid or Medicare dental benefits. Applicants must describe the targeted policy, historical context, impacted populations, and rationale for action. Similarly, the Community Capacity and Voice track emphasizes community engagement, asking applicants how community voices will shape, implement, and benefit from the work. The Care Delivery track promotes integrated and person-centered models of care, while the Research track supports data-driven studies to advance oral health equity. All applicants must describe how their work is informed by both qualitative and quantitative data and how it seeks measurable outcomes. Additionally, the Emergent and Relief Fund is available to support responses to urgent needs. This includes four specific types: Emerging Opportunities, Relief Efforts (such as responses to natural disasters), Urgent Needs (e.g., clinical equipment replacement), and Sponsorships (supporting convenings or events). Each type requires a tailored narrative detailing urgency, community involvement, proposed tactics, equity lens, and expected outcomes. Applications are submitted via the CareQuest Fluxx portal, starting with a concept note. A full proposal with a project workplan and budget (including indirect costs up to 15%) is submitted upon invitation. Required components include a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, demographic information, and detailed narrative answers, with a strict 3,000-character limit per open-ended response. The typical grant period is up to one year, though reapplication is encouraged. CareQuest provides support through its grants team and encourages early engagement for concept discussions. Overall, the Advancing Equity Through Oral Health Fund reflects CareQuest’s commitment to reshaping oral health systems through data, equity, community collaboration, and policy innovation. This fund provides both structured guidance and flexibility, allowing applicants to tailor their approach while aligning with core principles of justice and transformation.

Applicants must ensure that their proposals clearly articulate how their projects will address the fund's focus areas and contribute to the transformation of oral health systems.