Funding Source and Grantsmanship

Providing community-based care may require someone on the dental team to write a grant to secure start-up funding for purchasing equipment and supplies. Dental professionals need to recognize writing a grant takes time and planning. It is a skill that is not quickly learned. It is important to have knowledge of the literature, current evidence-based practices, and the target population in addition to having a detailed, accurate budget. The dental team must read the funding criteria carefully to make sure they meet all of the qualifications to apply. Often funders will only award grants to non-for-profit organizations; therefore, individuals may need to identify a fiscal agent to receive and distribute funds. The proposal guidelines must be read carefully and followed precisely. Most funding organizations will disqualify proposals that do not meet the guidelines.

Table 5 provides a list of national organizations that afford grant funding. In addition to using this list as a resource, grantees will also want to pursue local opportunities. Local foundations are typically smaller and often limit funding to specific regions. It takes time to find a funding organization whose mission aligns with a community-based project. Proposals are typically accepted within a specific window of time and grant writers may only have a few weeks to write the proposal. When someone on the dental team is looking for a grant, they need to be constantly on the lookout for funding opportunities. It is helpful to discuss the proposed project with potential funding organizations prior to submitting a grant proposal. Building relationships with key personnel is helpful for aligning your project with the funders needs. Figure 4 defines common grant terms that individuals will encounter and they are investigating grant opportunities and writing a proposal.