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Philanthropy: Grants in Oral Health

We address complex and upstream drivers of oral health disparities by investing strategically and providing collaborative, capacity-building support that leads to healthier communities.

Our Grant Funding Opportunities

Veteran Oral Health: Expanding Access and Equity 

Through the Veteran Oral Health: Expanding Access and Equity Request for Proposals (Veteran Oral Health RFP), CareQuest Institute is seeking to fund projects and partner with organizations that are working to address system-level barriers to oral health for veterans.  

Learn more and apply for funding

School-Based and School-Linked Initiatives to Improve Oral Health  

As part of CareQuest Institute’s philanthropic strategy, we are actively seeking grantmaking opportunities that strengthen communities and improve the overall system to create better oral health for all. School-based and school-linked oral health programs are designed to address access barriers for high-risk children to prevent dental decay and improve overall health and academic success

Learn more and apply for funding

Advancing Equity Through Oral Health Fund

We are driving oral health transformation through grantmaking that supports efforts to dismantle unjust structures and systems that drive disparities across oral health, access to care, treatment, and outcomes. Our funding is structured around four funding areas that are critical to advancing health equity: 

  1. Drive Federal Oral Health Policy
  2. Strengthen Community Voice and State Advocacy
  3. Spread Learning Models to the Broader Safety Net
  4. Support the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN)

Learn more and apply for funding

Emergent & Relief Fund

The health care system, including oral health, is not built to meet the needs of historically underserved communities. To this end, we have created the Emergent & Relief Fund to respond to pervasive and intersectional issues that impact underserved communities disproportionately across the country. 

Through this grantmaking fund, CareQuest Institute seeks to support one or more of the following three strategic outcomes:   

  1. The development of innovative approaches to support the ongoing response by the oral health field to transform and meet the needs of consumers within, and beyond, the pandemic. 

  2. The ability of communities and partner organizations to provide immediate relief due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. community displacement due to a natural disaster).  

  3. The response to urgent and unexpected clinical issues that impact the direct access to care, particularly for historically marginalized communities 

All grants, whether to a local, state, or national partner, should demonstrate intent toward responding to the needs of historically marginalized communities. Like the Advancing Equity Through Oral Health fund, CareQuest Institute is interested in content that demonstrates intent and work related to the five cross-cutting dimensions (Health and Racial Equity, Social Determinants of Health and Oral Health, Community-Centered Measurement, Learning and Capacity Building, and Innovation in Oral Health). 

CareQuest Institute does not make grants directly to individuals and does not support capital expenses, operating expenses, direct service, mobile vans, or payments for procedures. Applicants must have 501(c)3 nonprofit status. 

Apply for funding

advancing equity through oral health

Our Cross-Cutting Strategies

We pursue investment opportunities that drive progress in these five areas:​​​

Health and Racial Equity
We fund initiatives that account for, contextualize, and address historic imbalances in power, representation, infrastructure, and outcomes within all systems.​

Social Determinants of Health
We provide grants to organizations working to advance structural changes that align care, community, and policies in a way that addresses social risk factors and enables oral health value-based care. ​

Community-Centered Measurement
We invest in community-centered data strategies that can influence policy and compel systems change.​

Learning and Capacity Building
We strengthen the ability of our partners to drive systemic change by funding multilateral learning efforts.​

Innovation in Oral Health
We support oral health care delivery innovations that reduce inequities and increase parity in access and outcomes.​

Oral health progress and equity network (OPEN) logo

OPEN Formal Leaders Application

The Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN) is seeking leaders to take on America’s oral health challenges so that everyone has an equitable chance to thrive. OPEN Formal Leaders support coordinated action across a network of providers, public health advocates, and grassroots organizers. These individuals play a critical role in advancing OPEN’s Collective Impact Strategy to ensure that oral health care is equitable, accessible, and affordable for all. 

The deadline to apply is March 22nd. 

Learn more about positions, eligibility, and how to apply here.

Looking to apply for a CareQuest Institute grant?

Learn more about the two-phase grant application process and explore current and past grants.

 

Our Impact

Together, with our partners — providers, patients, policymakers, and stakeholders across oral health — we are creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated health system for everyone.

Explore the CareQuest Institute Impact Report 2023 to find videos, stories, and statistics about how we’re improving the oral health system through our collaborative work in philanthropy, analytics and data insights, health transformation, policy and advocacy, and education.

2023 Impact Report

The Latest

veteran with hat looks outside of frame
Visual Report

Oral Health Is Essential to Veteran Productivity and Well-Being

Myechia Minter-Jordan headshot with blue background
Podcast

Transforming Healthcare and Embracing Health Equity with Myechia Minter-Jordan

dental team member wearing gloves and mask looks in patient's mouth
Blog Post

A Collaborative Conversation: How to Elevate Black Voices in Oral Health Care