In the summer of 2021, the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation entered a new chapter of its operations and redefined its role as a statewide grantmaker. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big effect on this funder’s approach, which prompted us to take a closer look at what this foundation is doing in Colorado right now.
Here are some major things to know about the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCF) before you approach this oral health-focused funder.
A shift to equity and systems change
Like many foundations these days, DDCF has made equity a top focus in its giving. The pandemic highlighted how certain groups of people aren’t getting the oral health care they need, and DDCF seeks to address this problem by paying attention to accessibility. This is tied into (the company) Delta Dental’s corporate responsibility mission and sustainability initiative. DDCF has also launched a mission-related investment program that provides low-interest loans “to fund oral health–related capital needs of community-based dental providers, services, and clinics.” This is the funder’s way of investing in people who contribute to oral health equity—it has dedicated at least $3 million toward this loan program so far.
A commitment to diversity
The only exclusively oral health-focused funder in Colorado, DDCF promotes diversity in the oral health care workforce, a field disproportionately populated by white professionals. It committed more than $3 million over a three-year period to scholarships, laddering programs, career impact bonds and other investments to get different population groups involved in this growing field.
Early childhood
Another one of DDCF’s big interests right now is preventing oral health problems in Colorado children. Many children in the state miss days of school due to oral health issues, which impact the children’s overall health and ability to live up to their potential. Cavity Free by Three is a foundation program dedicated to this topic.
Place-based access
There are certain places in Colorado that DDCF focuses on in its grantmaking, namely northeast Denver, northwest Aurora, Fitzsimmons, Hoffman Heights and Jewell Heights. These places emerged as locations in need of better quality oral health care, so we expect to see continued funding in the East Metro area.
Recent DDCF funding
In a recent grant cycle, the foundation awarded $7 million to 38 Colorado organizations. In addition to traditional grants, DDCF provided $2.7 million in low-interest capital loans to Tepeyac Community Health Center, Project Worthmore and Kids First Health Care to build and renovate dental clinics while also addressing the needs of historically underserved communities.
DDCF is a transparent and accessible foundation that opens up funding opportunities and accepts unsolicited requests at certain times. Sign up for the funder’s newsletter for information about upcoming opportunities. Also, check out IP’s full profile of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation and many other Colorado foundations in our Mountain States funding guide.