Dental Grants in Rhode Island

You might not realize that the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund, created just in 2023, offers grants from $500 to $5,000 specifically targeting dental education, public service projects, and care accessibility for underserved populations across the state.

These grants also align with related scholarships and initiatives that support families with low income, helping them access essential dental and health services they might otherwise struggle to afford.

Organizations must submit a focused application by June 30, 2025, but securing funding hinges on how well your project addresses these critical community needs. Understanding the application process and strategic priorities could significantly improve your chances.

Key Takeaways

• The Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund provides grants from $500 to $5,000 to improve dental care accessibility and education for underserved Rhode Islanders.
• Eligible applications focus on dental education, public service, research, and direct care projects benefiting underserved populations.
• Applications must be submitted online by June 30, 2025, with one application allowed per organization annually and evaluations in September.
• A separate $10 million Small Grant program funded by a state settlement supports pediatric dental care projects in Providence with grants between $250,000 and $3 million.
• Bruce Keeler, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, assists applicants with understanding grant eligibility and submission requirements for Rhode Island dental grants.

Overview of Rhode Island Dental Grant Programs

The Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund offers grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to community organizations and nonprofits that focus on improving dental care and oral health education across the state.

You can submit one application per year, emphasizing projects that increase dental care access for underserved populations, including free clinics and community initiatives. Many of these programs also connect participants with food assistance and healthcare aid resources to ensure overall well-being beyond dental support.

The fund supports education, research, and public health programs to promote better oral health practices.

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2025, with annual evaluations in September.

The fund encourages partnerships with local groups to maximize dental care improvements statewide.

Criteria for Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund Grants

To qualify for Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund grants, your application must align with specific criteria focused on education, public service, and access to dental care.

The Rhode Island Dental Foundation prioritizes proposals that fund education and research to advance dentistry within the state. You can apply for projects enhancing dental public service or improving dental care accessibility for underserved Rhode Islanders, including individuals receiving SNAP benefits, ex-felons seeking reintegration support, and former veterans in need of essential dental assistance.

Public oral health education is also a key focus. You may submit only one application per year, typically requesting between $500 and $5,000.

Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. EST on June 30, 2025, with annual evaluations in September.

Key Application Deadlines for Dental Grants

You need to submit your application for the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund by 3:00 p.m. EST on June 30, 2025, with evaluations occurring annually in September.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s 6/10 Children’s Fund application deadline was September 10, 2024, so that opportunity has passed.

Make sure to track these deadlines carefully, as missing them means you’ll have to wait until the next funding cycle or look to other grants with their own timeline requirements.

June 30 Application Deadline

A key deadline to remember for dental grant applications in Rhode Island is 3:00 p.m. (EST) on June 30, 2025, for submissions to the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund.

This grant program supports initiatives that improve dental care access and public oral health education.

Keep these points in mind:

1. You may submit only one application per year for this fund.
2. Grant amounts typically range from $500 to $5,000.
3. Applications are reviewed annually in September for timely decisions.
4. Applying here doesn’t restrict you from seeking other Foundation grant programs.

September 10 Grant Deadline

Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island have until 3:00 p.m. (EST) on September 10, 2025, to apply for dental grants aimed specifically at improving dental care for children in Providence. These grants, backed by $10 million from the 6/10 project settlement, target urgent pediatric dental care needs affecting over 500 children. To qualify, you must submit a detailed application through the Rhode Island Foundation’s online portal, including budgets, financials, and organizational details. Collaborating with local nonprofits can boost your proposal’s impact on expanding essential dental services for youth.

Annual Evaluation Schedule

1. Submit only one application per year for this fund.
2. Applications include an online form, budget, narrative, and board list.
3. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, focused on dental care access.
4. Evaluation happens once annually in September, after the June deadline.

This schedule helps you plan submissions strategically and anticipate timely results.

Step-by-Step Dental Grant Application Process

To apply for a dental grant in Rhode Island, start by submitting a completed application form and budget form through the online system by 3:00 p.m. (EST) on June 30, 2025.

Include a detailed proposal narrative outlining your project’s objectives and impact on dental care in Rhode Island. Attach a current list of your organization’s board of directors for transparency.

Remember, your organization can submit only one application per year to this fund but may apply to other Foundation grants simultaneously.

Applications are reviewed annually in September, with grants typically ranging from $500 to $5,000 based on alignment with Foundation goals.

Bruce Keeler’s Role in Grant Assistance

Bruce Keeler plays a pivotal role as the Senior Philanthropic Advisor for the Rhode Island Dental Foundation, guiding applicants through the complexities of the dental grant process.

You can reach him at (401) 427-4035 for direct assistance.

He helps you:

1. Understand grant criteria focusing on education, research, and public service projects in dentistry.
2. Navigate funding opportunities for programs improving dental care accessibility for underserved populations.
3. Verify your application is complete and meets all submission requirements.
4. Meet the firm June 30, 2025, deadline for grant applications.

His strategic support maximizes your chance to secure grant funding.

The Attorney General’s 6/10 Children’s Fund: Purpose and Priorities

Legal Framework Surrounding the 6/10 Children’s Fund

You’ll encounter legal challenges from GOP lawmakers questioning Attorney General Neronha’s authority to allocate settlement money for the 6/10 Children’s Fund grant program.

However, a judge has approved Neronha’s spending plan, affirming the legality of the fund’s establishment and use.

While Republicans may still pursue legal actions, no official challenge has been filed, solidifying the current judicial endorsement.

Authority Challenges

Although Rhode Island GOP lawmakers have challenged Attorney General Peter Neronha’s authority to allocate $10 million from the Barletta Heavy Division settlement for children’s dental grants, a judge has already upheld the spending plan, reinforcing Neronha’s discretion in this matter.

The objections focus on whether Neronha can redirect settlement funds rather than deposit them into the general fund. Here’s what you should know about the authority challenges surrounding the Island Dental Foundation Fund:

1. GOP lawmakers argue state law mandates settlement funds go to the general fund controlled by the legislature.
2. Neronha’s office counters judicial approval validates the grant plan’s legality.
3. The judge’s ruling supports immediate investment in urgent pediatric dental care in Providence.
4. Republicans may still pursue court challenges but haven’t done so yet.

Judicial Approval

While Republican lawmakers have questioned the Attorney General’s authority to direct settlement funds to pediatric dental grants, judicial approval has clearly established the legal framework supporting the creation and administration of the 6/10 Children’s Fund.

This Rhode Island dental program, funded by a $10 million settlement from the 6/10 project contamination case, addresses urgent dental care needs in Providence children.

A judge confirmed the lawfulness of this grant program, rejecting GOP challenges about the Attorney General’s spending authority.

Attorney General Neronha has emphasized this judicial backing to reinforce the fund’s importance in tackling the pediatric dental crisis in Rhode Island.

Legislative Objections

Since the Attorney General directed settlement funds to establish the 6/10 Children’s Fund, Republican lawmakers have challenged the legal authority underpinning this decision, citing a 2023 state law that mandates most settlement proceeds be deposited into the general fund.

Despite these objections, a judge approved Neronha’s grant spending plan, providing judicial support for the initiative.

The legislative objections centered on:

1. Questioning the Attorney General’s discretion to allocate settlement funds outside the general fund.
2. Citing the 2023 state statute controlling settlement proceeds.
3. Arguing the spending lacked legislative support.
4. Choosing not to pursue further legal action after judicial approval.

This judicial backing supports the appropriateness of funding children’s dental care with the settlement money.

Addressing the Pediatric Dental Care Crisis in Providence

How can Providence tackle its severe pediatric dental care crisis?

Attorney General Peter Neronha’s $10 million Small Grant program, funded by a 6/10 project settlement, targets this urgent need by enhancing dental access for over 500 children needing urgent care.

Nonprofits can apply by September 10 to receive grants ranging from $250,000 to $3 million, encouraging collaboration with local organizations to increase pediatric dental services.

This initiative aims to reduce oral health disparities that disproportionately affect Providence’s youth and improve overall child health, with strong backing from community advocates focused on impactful, strategic healthcare solutions.

Eligibility and Requirements for Grant Applicants

To be eligible for the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund grants, organizations must focus on improving dental care, public service projects, or increasing accessibility to dental services for underserved Rhode Island residents.

If your organization is focused on oral health initiatives, you can submit only one application per year to this fund. The typical grant amount ranges from $500 to $5,000.

To apply, you must submit:

1. A completed application form through the online system.
2. A detailed budget form.
3. A proposal narrative explaining your project.
4. A current list of your board of directors.

Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. EST on June 30, 2025, and reviewed annually in September.

Funding Amounts and Typical Grant Usage

While grant amounts from the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund typically range between $500 and $5,000, these funds strategically support projects that improve dental education, research, and public service within Rhode Island.

You’ll find that the small grant format encourages focused proposals aimed at enhancing accessibility to dental care for underserved populations. The fund prioritizes support for free clinics and charitable projects delivering direct care.

Eligible organizations can apply once per year, which helps guarantee impactful use of funds. These grants are an effective tool to advance oral health initiatives and dental education throughout the state.

Support for Underserved Populations and Free Clinics

Because underserved populations face significant barriers to dental care access, the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund prioritizes grants to free clinics and projects that provide direct care within these communities.

You can expect grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 aimed at supporting community organizations improving oral health.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program offers comprehensive care to vulnerable groups, including seniors and disabled persons, focusing on medically necessary treatments.

Here’s how they support you:

1. Fund free clinics delivering direct dental care to underserved citizens.
2. Prioritize medically necessary dental treatment for eligible individuals.
3. Partner with local organizations to maximize outreach and impact.
4. Provide grants specifically for improving accessibility and availability of dental care.

Scholarships for Dental Auxiliaries in Rhode Island

Scholarships for dental auxiliaries in Rhode Island focus on supporting residents who enroll in accredited dental hygiene and assisting programs, with the goal of expanding the state’s dental workforce.

These scholarships, funded primarily by the Rhode Island Dental Foundation, target individuals committed to working within the state for at least one year, therefore aiming to improve dental care access, especially in underserved areas.

Award amounts typically range from $500 to $5,000. Eligibility requires residency and program enrollment, emphasizing education and training that strengthen the local dental sector and elevate community oral health outcomes through skilled professionals.

Donated Dental Services (DDS) Program Overview

If you can’t afford dental treatment and are over 65, permanently disabled, or medically fragile, the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program connects you with volunteer dentists across Rhode Island who provide comprehensive dental care at no cost or minimal expense.

The program focuses on oral and dental health for those in need by:

1. Serving individuals with no financial means and qualified veterans.
2. Allowing applications online or by mail, regardless of county closures.
3. Utilizing volunteer dentists statewide to deliver essential dental services.
4. Offering a streamlined process linking you efficiently with dental care providers.

Volunteer and Community Support Opportunities

Volunteering your dental expertise or supporting community initiatives can directly impact Rhode Islanders who lack access to essential dental care.

You can contribute through the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program, which links volunteer dentists with individuals unable to afford care. Supporting community organizations through corporate sponsorships or monthly donations further extends dental services to underserved populations.

Hosting online campaigns on special occasions raises awareness and funds. Patient testimonials underscore the value of volunteer dentists, highlighting community support’s critical role.

Stay informed via newsletters and social media to engage in ongoing volunteer and support opportunities effectively.

Contact Information and Resources for Applicants

One of the primary contacts for organizations seeking dental grants in Rhode Island is Bruce Keeler, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, reachable at (401) 427-4035 for application assistance.

When you apply to the Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund, keep these key requirements in mind:

1. Submit your application online by 3:00 p.m. (EST) on June 30, 2025, including a completed budget form and proposal narrative.
2. Attach a current list of your organization’s board of directors to the application.
3. Applications are evaluated annually each September.
4. For the Donated Dental Services program, contact Matt McLaren at 401-821-8656 for eligibility and application guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dental Grant a Real Thing?

Dental funding is real, and you can secure grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 for projects improving oral health access, education, and care, especially for underserved populations in Rhode Island. You must submit a proposal, budget, and board documentation strategically to qualify. These grants target nonprofits and community organizations aiming to improve dental services and public health initiatives.

How Can I Get Help With Dental Bills?

Like a lighthouse guiding ships through fog, financial assistance programs help you navigate dental bills. You can apply to Rhode Island’s Donated Dental Services (DDS) if you’re disabled, over 65, or medically fragile to get free dental care from volunteer dentists.

Conclusion

You’re ready to make an impact in Rhode Island’s oral health landscape, but have you marked June 30, 2025, as your grant application deadline? The Rhode Island Dental Foundation Fund offers $500 to $5,000 to support education, public service, and access initiatives targeting vulnerable communities. You can only submit one application per year, so strategize your proposal well, with detailed budgets and narratives, to boost your chances of success and help improve dental care statewide. Why wait to be part of this essential change?