Grant Guidelines and Criteria 

The WDA Foundation was established in 1957 as a charitable subsidiary of the Wisconsin Dental Association. It is a qualified, tax-exempt corporation. Guidelines for grant requests are as follows.

Objectives

The grant program's main objective is to provide financial support to efforts aimed at providing dental care to the underserved and other philanthropic endeavors related to dentistry throughout Wisconsin. The program philosophy seeks to increase access to, and education on, oral health care by encouraging volunteerism in the dental health professions community.

Eligibility criteria

Proposals of up to $10,000.00 by community-based, not-for-profit, oral health promotion programs primarily in the state of Wisconsin will be considered.

Examples of qualified oral health promotions include:

• dental supplies, equipment and other operating expenses for a low-income dental clinic;
• dental health education conducted at schools, health fairs and social agencies, via mobile dental clinics or outreach programs;
• dental health education programs in conjunction with preventive programs such as fluoride and dental sealant application programs;
• other philanthropic endeavors relating to dentistry in Wisconsin.

Examples of un-qualified oral health promotions include:

• salary and other staff/volunteer compensation;
• endowments or fundraising campaigns;
• direct support of individuals or lobbying of any kind;
• capital costs (purchasing, remodeling, or furnishing of facilities);
• grants to organizations located outside of Wisconsin.

Evaluation of proposals 

The WDA Foundation finance and allocation committee will evaluate all proposals, with additional review by the foundation’s board of directors.

Grants will be awarded based on:

• originality, creativity and innovation;
• potential for, or history of, continuous program operation;
• community involvement including volunteer support;
• provision of actual restorative, preventive and dental education services;
• oral health awareness education and promotion content;
• potential impact on the target audience and/or community.

Submission guidelines 

Submitted proposals must include the following information:

• An Executive Summary of no more than one page in length - NEW
• Information about grantee organization(s);
• Project description including information on the population served, what the perceived long-term impact will be on the community served, and what will change in the community as a result of having received funding;
• Project budget with specific rationale on how grant funds will be utilized.
• A letter of endorsement for group and/or dental related activity from local component dental society is required for consideration. (Call Ms. Victoria Bohman at 414-755-4198 to obtain local component dental society contact information.)

This application may be no more than five (5) pages in length. The five-page maximum includes the program budget, but does not include the letter of endorsement or the Executive Summary.

An application form is available by calling 414-755-4198 or click here to download the current Grant Request Form.

Please note

• Only one proposal submission per organization will be accepted.
• Type on only one side of the paper. Do not bind or staple.
• Do not submit additional materials, such as videos, brochures or promotional gifts, as these items will not be duplicated or submitted to the grant review committee.
• Please submit the original plus five (5) copies of the proposal.

The WDA Foundation reserves the right to rescind an awarded grant if the itemized request(s) for reimbursement show that funds were used for purposes other than that specified in the grant application without the prior consent of the foundation.

Submit proposal to:
WDA Foundation
6737 W. Washington St., Ste. 2360
West Allis, WI 53214

Program timetable

• Request for proposals will be posted on this Web page.
• Proposals must be postmarked by Aug. 31.
• Proposal applicants will be notified by Dec. 31 of the year preceding the calendar year in which the grant will be awarded of the Foundation's action regarding the request.
• If approved, the money may be requested in writing as expenses are incurred after Jan. 1 of the calendar year in which the grant is being awarded.
• A written report to the WDA Foundation regarding the use of the grant funds is required by the last Friday in August of the grant year.

Contact
WDA Foundation
6737 W. Washington St., Ste. 2360
West Allis, WI 53214
Phone: 414-276-4520
Fax: 414-276-8431
E-mail: vbohman@wda.org