Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Invests More Than $460,000 in 19 Nonprofits for Oral and Overall health Projects
Posted on December 16, 2024 in Foundation
The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation invested more than $460,000 in 19 organizations to strengthen and transform the oral and overall health of Iowans. The grants are part of the Foundation’s Community of Health Grant programs, intended to infuse a spark, encourage new learnings, strengthen non-profit organizations and coalitions operations, or initiate a larger oral or overall health initiative.
“Delta Dental of Iowa and our Foundation are dedicated to collaborating with organizations that align with our mission of building healthier communities by improving the health and smiles of all Iowans," said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. "We are honored to support our community partners as they work to enhance awareness and expand access to oral and overall health resources throughout the state.”
Oral Health Grants
A total of $209,650 was awarded to nine organizations with projects focused on advancing oral health and the integration of oral and overall health with projects focused on increasing access to dental care by supporting projects focused on community oral health coalition planning, dental workforce recruitment, youth oral healthcare career development exploration, oral healthcare coordination and education for refugees and immigrants, and veterans' oral health research.
"We’re honored to partner with the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation to expand Saturday morning services to increase access to care for our patients,” said Kerri Hodges, development and marketing director, All Care Health Center, in Council Bluffs “The $25,000 Community of Health grant has helped us to integrate behavioral health and care coordination services alongside primary healthcare, with plans to add dental services soon. This funding also supports outreach efforts to raise awareness of these expanded services. Already, the consistently full Saturday provider schedules demonstrate the community's need for these services and the profound impact of this support on patient care.”
Overall Health Grants
A total of $250,953 in Overall Health Grants was awarded to 10 organizations to fund projects focused on increasing access to overall health services with several projects focused on mental health and wellness education, awareness, training, and expanded services for youth, domestic violence survivors, refugees and immigrants, after-school providers, and rural Iowans.
“A $30,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation will help us increase the number of culturally representative, certified doulas serving diverse families in Iowa,” said Ebonie Bailey, executive director, Iowa Black Doula Collective. “Doulas provide holistic, evidence-based care, offering emotional and physical support during and after pregnancy to improve mental and overall health outcomes. This support is crucial, especially as pregnant people of color in Iowa face higher rates of pregnancy and post-partum complications when compared to other populations.”
Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Community of Health Grant applications from Iowa agencies are reviewed twice a year and applications for 2025 are due on March 3 and September 3. For more information about Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation’s grant programs including descriptions and timelines, visit the Foundation website and register for a live virtual information session to be held in January.