The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation has awarded grants to 39 non-profit organizations that work with underserved populations of all ages through oral health and nutritional programs. A total of $799,524 funds were awarded to support projects and services promoting good oral health practices and increasing access to dental care among underserved children, pregnant women, seniors and adults, as well as nutritional access programs such as food banks, after-school and weekend food programs for children, and senior delivery programs.
“Delta Dental of Arizona believes in healthier lives for everyone and is proactively working to remove barriers to care across our state,” said Barb Kozuh, executive director of the Foundation. “Through this grant program, Delta Dental of Arizona continues to make critical strides in whole-person health initiatives and equitable access to care.” Grants were awarded in two funding categories: Community Grants and IMPACT Grants. Community grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, as well as dental supplies as needed, were presented to 36 Arizona nonprofits, including 11 first-time recipients.
The Delta Dental IMPACT Grant program, which began in 2020, awards organizations two-year grants totaling $100,000 each, with $50,000 awarded each year. Nonprofits invited to apply for these grants provide oral health services and education to more than 1,000 children, pregnant women or seniors and have a proven record of fiscal and reporting responsibility.
The grant program is one of many investments Delta Dental of Arizona has made to support access to health and wellness statewide. Delta Dental of Arizona is also focused on several key programs and initiatives to increase education around and access to health and wellness across Arizona.
“This includes a partnership Arizona PBS to educate children on good oral health, the Delta Dental of Arizona Oral Health Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul, critical work with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the Banner Health Foundation Hospital Oral Care and Periodontal Disease Education (HOPE) program protocol,” said Kozuh. “We also provide a free Dental Care Resource Guide on our website, which features a comprehensive directory of low-cost dental clinics across Arizona for individuals and families who are uninsured or underinsured.” For a complete list of winners, visit www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation/grants/grant-recipients/.
