Opportunity Overview
The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation is accepting 2026 Smile Grant requests for qualifying overall-health projects while funds remain available. Smile Grants are designed for short-term projects that are primarily educational in nature, including educational materials or supplies related to the Foundation’s core initiatives.
Funding and Timing
Smile Grants provide $10,000 or less. Applications opened in January and are accepted on an ongoing basis until all funds are allocated. The Foundation states that, as of March 25, 2026, all Smile Grant funding for oral-health-related projects has been allocated. Requests for overall-health projects related to current core initiatives continue to be reviewed and awarded until remaining funds are allocated. No fixed final deadline, closing clock time, or time zone is published for this rolling program.
Eligibility and Priorities
The Foundation’s current project-fit screening tool identifies eligible organization types as nonprofit public charities under 501(c)(3), government or public agencies, and Iowa-based public or nonpublic schools. Dental offices or clinics and organizations selecting the tool’s “Other” category are not eligible. Projects should support people or communities in Iowa and align with at least one current priority: Oral Health, Veterans Oral Health, Vision Care, Dental & Vision Workforce, Mental Health, or Dental & Vision Providers’ Mental Health. Because oral-health Smile Grant funds are currently allocated, applicants should confirm that a proposed request fits the Foundation’s still-open overall-health pathway.
Application Process and Restrictions
All requests are submitted through the Foundation’s online grants system. Applicants should use the Foundation’s Grant/Project Fit Screening Tool before beginning an application. The current guidelines generally exclude direct dental services, grants to individuals, projects without a direct or indirect impact on the health and smiles of Iowans, political campaigns and lobbying, religious purposes, sponsorships, ongoing or emergency food assistance, and toothbrush requests without a strong oral-health education component.
Atlas Assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 78/100. This is an active, rolling Iowa health-funding pathway with clear eligibility and a defined maximum request. Its strongest current Atlas relevance is for eligible nonprofits, public agencies, and Iowa schools pursuing short-term educational projects tied to vision, mental health, provider well-being, workforce, or other still-open overall-health priorities.
N9+ Fit Score: 10/100. Current Smile Grant guidance emphasizes short-term educational projects and supplies. The Foundation separately identifies larger System & Capacity Building grants for infrastructure and equipment, so Atlas does not assume that clinical technology or remote-exam equipment is an allowable Smile Grant cost. No Dr. Miltie direct-applicant path is established under the published eligible organization classes.
Outreach Posture
Publication does not authorize cold outreach. Because Smile Grants are rolling until funds are exhausted and the Foundation publishes no exact final deadline, Atlas cannot verify that at least 48 hours remain before an exact cutoff. No new applicant outreach is initiated from this listing.
Official Source
Controlling source: Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation — Foundation Funding. Last verified September 14, 2026.