Delta Dental of Illinois, Foundation and partners give nearly $6 million in 2020
Posted on June 14, 2021 in Corporate Social Responsibility
Delta Dental of Illinois and its 501(c)(3) charitable arm, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, joined its partners and employees in giving nearly $6 million to communities throughout Illinois in 2020. This included launching several new programs as part of its mission to improve the oral and overall health of Illinois residents.
During an unprecedented year of challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta Dental of Illinois and its Foundation, along with employees and the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, invested in communities across the state with both new and ongoing initiatives.
Initiatives in 2020 included:
COVID-19 Grants: Awarded $4 million in COVID-19 grants to 56 health care organizations and clinics in June and September. The grants, given in partnership with the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, helped ensure delivery of vital health care services to underserved Illinoisans during the pandemic.
Supported Illinois dentists and patients: Donated $1 million to the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) Foundation and $70,000 to Dental Lifeline Network. In addition, a $2 million gift to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry helped create two general anesthesia suites (completed last year) that will serve 1,000 more patients each year and reduce wait times for children.
H2O On the Go: Provided 86 Illinois elementary, middle and high schools with new water bottle-filling stations valued at $500,000 as part of H20 On the Go, a new grant program in partnership with the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. The new stations are environmentally friendly, touchless and encourage students to drink water instead of sugary beverages. Students also received free toothbrushes and reusable water bottles.
Community Grants: Awarded more than $255,000 to 16 nonprofit and community organizations to improve education and increase access to oral health care for Illinois children. In 2020, the maximum grant for each recipient doubled to $20,000. More than $1.2 million has been donated through this program since 2014.
Corporate citizenship: Delta Dental of Illinois employees donated and participated in charitable activities with organizations including Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Soldiers’ Angels, Hope For The Day, American Diabetes Association and Almost Home Kids.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation creatively continued its efforts to expand oral health care and education through online versions of its Dentist By 1 and Land of Smiles programs. The Foundation provided training for dentists to work with young patients, and a virtual program with superheroes teaching Illinois children about good oral health habits. For more details, see the 2020 Delta Dental of Illinois Corporate Social Responsibility Report.