Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Accepting Community Grant Applications

Posted on August 3, 2015 in In the Community

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, will begin accepting applications for its annual community grants program today. The community grants program provides funding for programs and organizations that improve the oral health of Illinois children.

The Foundation will award grants up to $10,000 to organizations that provide oral health education and/or access to oral health resources to children in Illinois. A total of $150,000 in grants will be distributed. Criteria and an online application are available at ddilfoundation.org/grantreq.aspx. Applications must be received by Sept. 8 to be eligible for consideration.

Illinois nonprofit organizations that are classified as exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and public or governmental entities, such as a public schools or health departments, are eligible and encouraged to apply.

“The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations that improve oral health and advance oral health education in our state,” said Lora Vitek, director of philanthropy and community relations for the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease and affects more than half of Illinois children by the time they are in third grade. Our community grants program provides a way for us to partner with these organizations to eliminate dental disease among our youth and improve their overall health and well-being.”

In 2014, 12 Illinois organizations were awarded nearly $100,000 through the community grants program. These organizations include: Crusader Community Health in Rockford; Douglas County Health Department in Tuscola; Giant Steps in Lisle; Lake County Health Department and Community Health in Waukegan; Lake Land College in Mattoon; Logan County Department of Public Health in Lincoln; Midwestern University in Downers Grove; Pike County Health Department in Pittsfield; Promise Healthcare in Champaign; Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Alton; Tazewell County Health Department in Tremont; and the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry in Chicago.

To learn more about the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation's community grants program or to support the Foundation, please visit deltadentalil.com/ddilfoundation.