Delta Dental Foundation Invites Applications for Annual Oral Cancer Research or Education Grant

August 15, 2007 (Okemos, Mich.)—Organizations seeking support for oral cancer research or education initiatives have the opportunity to apply for the annual Thomas P. Moore II Memorial Grant (Moore grant), a $25,000 grant from the Delta Dental Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana (Delta Dental). The announcement was made today by Nancy E. Hostetler, senior vice president of the Delta Dental Foundation.

The Moore grant provides support to programs that help conduct oral cancer research, offer oral cancer education, or develop and heighten oral cancer awareness among the public.

“With the five-year survival rate at only 57 percent – a figure that tragically hasn’t changed in 40 years – there is a critical need for more extensive research that will lead to better outcomes,” said Hostetler. “In addition, enhanced public awareness is key to early detection when survival rates can jump to 81 percent.”

Guidelines for Grant Seekers

General information:

• The Thomas P. Moore II Memorial Grant is limited to a maximum of $25,000.
• Only one proposal per organization per year will be considered.
• Grants must be dedicated to oral cancer education and/or research programs in Michigan, Ohio, or Indiana.
• Grant recipients may re-apply in future years, as long as a report detailing use/impact of the grant monies is provided with the application.

Eligibility:

• Only not-for-profit programs in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana may apply for the grant.
• Grants will not be awarded to individuals, political organizations, projects developed for commercial and proprietary purposes, or to organizations that discriminate by race, religion, color, creed, gender, age, or national origin.
• Grants will not be awarded for capital campaigns, overhead/administrative expenses, endowments, advertising, or fundraising activities.

Application process:

• Contribution request applications are available at www.deltadentalmi.com/ddf/DDF_TPMMemorialGrant.html or by calling the Delta Dental Foundation at 517-347-5333.
• Applications must be received by the Delta Dental Foundation no later than September 30, 2007.
• The grant recipient will be notified in November 2007.

The Delta Dental Foundation support aligns with Delta Dental’s corporate priority to fight oral cancer. In 2004, Delta Dental became one of the first benefit companies to make the brush biopsy diagnostic test a standard of care. The brush biopsy, a tool used to detect oral cancer, represents a breakthrough in the fight against oral cancer. In conjunction with the new benefit, Delta Dental also launched a free educational course for dentists to learn to use the brush biopsy tool to detect early cancers and precancers.

The Moore grant was given last year to the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio in support of its Joan’s Fund Spring Event for Head and Neck Oncology Research.

The Delta Dental Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, seeks to support education and research for the advancement of dental science and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs.