Notice
Monday, January 19: Our Customer Service center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will have reduced staffing levels which may result in longer wait times than usual. To view benefit information and claim status at any time, you can sign into your account or use our Interactive Voice Response System 24/7 at (800-452-9310).
Grant Funding Criteria
Criteria of Grantees
The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is seeking grant applications for 2026/27. All applications are due by Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The Mission of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is: To improve the oral health of New Jersey and Connecticut residents by providing charitable contributions to solve oral health care challenges.
S.M.I.L.E. Grants
The populations our Foundation seeks to serve include uninsured and underinsured:
- Children (ages 0 - 17)
- Developmentally disabled persons
- Veterans (ages 18+)
- Seniors (ages 65+)
- Perinatal Mothers and their children (up to age 3 postpartum)
The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation's 2026/27 Grant Cycle is based on the S.M.I.L.E. Method. Please be sure to read below to determine if your program meets our strategy and criteria.
S.M.I.L.E. - Solution-based: Our Foundation will fund projects and programs that address and solve oral health care challenges facing five critical uninsured/underinsured populations: children, developmentally disabled persons, veterans, seniors, and perinatal moms.
S.M.I.L.E. - Measurement and Impact: Grant Applicants must clearly identify goals and outcomes to show how the program assesses success in the short term and long term.
S.M.I.L.E. - Longevity: Grant Applicants must clearly outline how the Foundation's funding will continue outside of the grant period relating to the sustainability of the program being funded.
S.M.I.L.E. - Execution: Grant Applicants must focus on applying for solution-based programs for one of the above-mentioned populations explaining how the program will be executed, the anticipated outcomes for that program, and how the program will affect that population's oral health care.
Delta Dental of New Jersey S.M.I.L.E. Grants Funding Requirements:
- Applicants should request at least $25,000 (exceptions will be handled on a case-by-case basis)
- Multi-year requests will be considered (up to three years)
- Program must serve at least one of the following populations: Children, Developmentally Disabled, Veterans, Seniors, and/or Perinatal Mothers and their Children (up to age 3 postpartum)
Funding priorities for each population:
| Children | We recognize that dental decay is the number one chronic disease of childhood. We are looking for programs that will have long-term effects by treating children at an earlier age when they can learn lifetime good oral health habits.
This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support:
|
| Developmentally Disabled Persons | We recognize that developmentally disabled individuals require specialized care to maintain good oral
health. The Foundation seeks to fund programs that will improve access to dental care that meets their
unique health care needs.
This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support new or existing dental care programs serving those with:
|
| Veterans | We recognize that many veterans lack access to dental care and many do not qualify for VA dental
benefits. The Foundation seeks programs that will improve veterans’ access to dental care so the men and
women who served our country can maintain good oral health.
This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support:
|
| Seniors | We recognize that health care needs change as we age. Seniors are prone to severe periodontal disease, a
condition linked to other health conditions including diabetes, tooth loss, dry mouth, and oral cancer. The
Foundation seeks programs that will improve seniors’ access to dental care so they can maintain good
oral health.
This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support:
|
| Perinatal Mothers | We recognize that poor oral health can negatively impact pregnant women and their babies, increasing the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and gestational diabetes. It's important for expectant mothers to maintain good oral hygiene to protect both their own health and their child's future oral health. The Foundation seeks programs that will improve pregnant women's oral health and that of their babies (up to age 3 postpartum). Our Foundation seeks to support:
|
The above programs can be accomplished in several ways. The types of programs our Foundation will consider funding include, but are not limited to mobile dental units, dental equipment and supplies, supporting dental personnel, and direct patient care.
S.M.I.L.E. Mini Grants
The S.M.I.L.E. Mini Grants can support direct patient care, as well as support dental education programs for any of the above populations to help increase awareness of the importance of healthy smiles, teach proper brushing and flossing techniques, the role oral health plays in overall health and wellness, as well as provide oral health tools (toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, mouthwash).
- The Foundation plans to award at least 10 Mini Grants in 2026
- Applicants should apply for no more than $10,000
- Examples of Mini Grants the Foundation will consider funding include Give Kids A Smile Day, dental supplies and equipment, direct patient care costs, and dental education programs
- If you are applying for a S.M.I.L.E. Grant and would also like to apply for a S.M.I.L.E. Mini Grant, please contact Kim at kelmore@deltadentalnj.com.
All grant applicants must create an account in Foundant to apply. If you already have an account, please log-in to complete your grant application(s). If there are any questions, please contact Kim Elmore at kelmore@deltadentalnj.com.
In addition to the S.M.I.L.E. Grants, our Foundation also awards S.M.I.L.E. Mini Grants. The S.M.I.L.E. Mini Grants seek to serve the same populations as listed above:
- Children (ages 0 - 17)
- Developmentally disabled persons
- Veterans (ages 18+)
- Seniors (age 65+)
- Perinatal Mothers and their children (up to age 3 postpartum)
