Application Guidelines

The CDA Foundation Grant Program provides financial grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations and clinics (excluding mobile dental programs) that address one or more of the following objectives:

Preventive Care
To support programs (other than mobile) that promote total health, risk assessment, and increase access to oral health care preventive services, particularly for vulnerable people, including children, uninsured families, caregivers, and the elderly.

Consumer Education
To support programs (other than mobile) that promote disease prevention education.

Restorative Care
To support organizations and clinics (other than mobile) providing direct oral health treatment services, particularly for vulnerable people.

Fluoridation
To support the expansion and preservation of community water fluoridation systems.

Other
Other programs (other than mobile) not listed above that clearly demonstrate methods for increasing access to oral health care, particularly for vulnerable people, including children, uninsured families, caregivers, and the elderly.

Review and Selection Process

Proposals are reviewed once per year. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged via an automated e-mail message following your online application submission. During the review process, CDA Foundation staff may contact you for additional information.

Proposal Selection Criteria – Proposals that clearly and concisely demonstrate the following characteristics will have a greater opportunity for funding.

  • Relevance to the CDA Foundation’s mission
  • Address one or more CDA Foundation Grant Program objectives
  • Demonstrates a clear connection between oral health and general health and well-being
  • Has established matching funds and/or long term funding relationship
  • Community-based and/or community-driven
  • Demonstrates established partnerships and collaborations
  • Encourages creative solutions to identified challenges

 
Funding Restrictions

  • Grants are made to organizations that are exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code or government agencies. If a proposal is from an unincorporated collaboration, tax exemption verification and a letter of agreement signed by an eligible fiscal sponsor are required.
  • Indirect costs may not exceed 15% of project direct costs.
  • Grants are not made for supporting conferences and special events (i.e. fundraising dinners)
  • Grants are not made for supporting lobbying and/or political campaigns or endorsements
  • Grants are not made for supporting capital campaigns
  • Grants are not made for supporting organization budget shortfalls
  • Grants are not made to individuals