The Patterson Foundation is committed to investing in programs that strengthen our communities. The Foundation has a two-step application process and continuously accepts and reviews letters of inquiry (LOI) through our online Grants Management System. Following approval of an organization's LOI, an invitation is extended to complete our application form. Our staff may contact applicants with follow-up questions after initial review of the application.

The board of directors meets quarterly to review grant applications and make funding decisions, typically in March, June, September and December of each year. Grant applications are due 60 to 90 days prior to the board meeting. Decision letters, including award checks to grant recipients, are mailed within 30 days of the board meeting.

The Patterson Foundation generally considers only single year grant requests. All grantees are asked to submit follow-up reports via our online system within one year after a grant is awarded. Organizations are not eligible to receive additional funding until the follow-up report is received.

Grantmaking guidelines

The Patterson Foundation’s resources are focused in the areas of:

Oral health
Animal health
Youth agricultural leadership

Within these focus areas, the Foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations classified as public charities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Grants are made to support communities in the Patterson Companies service areas throughout the United States and Canada.

Oral health

The Patterson Foundation supports programs that expand access to restorative and emergency dental care for individuals in need. Priority is given to organizations that are staffed primarily by volunteer dental professionals and/or students. In this focus area, the Foundation supports the following types of requests:

  • Funding for state Mission of Mercy (MOM) events that provide free dental care to people across the U.S. Individual grants for MOM events range up to $5,000, depending on several factors in the application including the number of patients to be served and results from prior events.
  • Start-up costs or one-time projects that expand an organization’s capacity to serve individuals in need. For example, funding may be used for construction or renovation costs to expand clinic capacity. Per our funding guidelines, grants cannot be used to purchase dental supplies or equipment or for the costs of patient care. In general, individual grant amounts vary up to $35,000, depending on the project goals and scope.
  • Personnel costs for a dental assistant, hygienist or coordinator to support the work of volunteer dental professionals or students who staff the program. The employee(s) must work directly with the volunteer providers. In general, programs can receive up to $10,000 in support, depending on the goals and impact of the program.
  • Strategic grants for programs that impact populations on a large scale. Programs may be national, regional or serve an expanded metro area. In general, individual grant amounts vary up to $60,000, depending on the scale and impact of the program.

Animal health

In this focus area, the Foundation supports the following types of requests:

  • Funding for organizations that provide service animals to veterans and individuals with disabilities. The Foundation awards grants for start-up costs or one-time expenses to help a program expand capacity for years into the future. In general, support is limited to organizations that are members or candidates of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). Grant amounts generally vary up to $35,000, depending on the project details.

Exclusions

In general, the Foundation will not consider requests for:

  • The types of products sold by Patterson Companies, Inc., including dental or veterinary supplies, software, and equipment (a local branch of a Patterson company may consider donating products)
  • The direct costs of treatment or therapies
  • Organizations primarily funded by state or federal governments
  • Individuals
  • Travel
  • Film/video productions
  • Religious programs for religious purposes
  • Scientific research
  • Fraternal, social, veteran or military organizations
  • Conferences/seminars or publications of their proceedings
  • Fundraising or athletic events
  • Emergency operating support
  • Political advocacy, lobbying

Application process

How to apply

The Patterson Foundation makes it easy for you to apply for a grant online. Please read the instructions below before starting the application process. If your organization is applying for a renewal grant, contact Allie Krug Smulka at the Patterson Foundation at 651.994.2190 or patterson.foundation@pattersoncompanies.com (email is quicker) to be given access to our renewal application form. If you are seeking funding for a local Mission of Mercy event, please click here to learn more about our application process for MOM events.

Step 1: Review our mission and guidelines

  • Programs that relate directly to the Patterson Foundation’s primary interests are most likely to receive funding.
  • At this time, funding for start-up costs or new projects will be considered only if the grant will reduce operating expenses or will expand capacity without increasing costs.
  • Contact us if you have questions regarding our mission and guidelines. We will gladly assist you in determining if your program qualifies for consideration.

2023 application deadlines

Completed applications must be received by:

Friday, January 13 for consideration on
Wednesday, April 5

Friday, April 7 for consideration on
Wednesday, June 28

Friday, August 11 for consideration on
Wednesday, October 4

Friday, October 13 for consideration on
Wednesday, December 13

See how to apply for information on how to begin the application process through our online Grants Management System.

Step 2: Create an account

  • Select one email address and password to be used for all applications.
  • We recommend that you use the email address of the person responsible for administration of the grant. The Patterson Foundation will send all communications to this email address.

Step 3: Letter of inquiry

  • The first step in our application process is to complete the letter of inquiry form.
  • Our staff will review your letter of inquiry. If your program appears to further the goals of Patterson Foundation as stated in our guidelines, you will be asked to complete our online application.

Step 4: Grant application

  • If your organization is invited to complete the grant application form, our staff will help determine the best date to submit your application for review by our board of directors.
  • Your application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (CT) on the day of the deadline.
  • You may be contacted by our staff for additional information about your request.

Step 5: Final decisions are made

  • Most applications require 60 to 90 days for consideration, depending upon when the Patterson Foundation Board meets to consider requests.
  • Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (CT) on the deadlines noted. Decision letters, including award checks to grant recipients, are mailed or delivered within 90 days following the board meeting.

Ready to apply?

Apply now
Mission of mercy grants

Mission of Mercy grants

Mission of mercy grants

The Patterson Foundation provides grants for state Mission of Mercy (MOM) events across the U.S. each year. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations classified as public charities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Application deadline

  • Applications must be submitted at least 3 months in advance of the event, but not more than 8 months in advance.

Event requirements

  • All treatment at the event must be provided free of charge without restrictions.
  • All grant funds must be used for the event as specified in the application.

Funding restrictions

  • Grants cannot be used to purchase dental supplies or equipment.
  • Funding cannot be used for ADCF rental fees.
  • Organizations cannot receive more than one grant per event.

Review process and grant amount

  • Individual grant amounts are $5,000 for 100-chair events and $3,500 for 45-chair events.
  • Applications will only be considered if each MOM event has reached at least 50 percent of their event funding goal.
  • The Patterson Foundation will review grant applications for MOM events and decide within 30 days of receipt.
  • The Foundation will mail checks for approved MOM grants within 10 days of the decision date.

How to apply

  • Create an account in our online grant application system and complete the Mission of Mercy Event grant application form.
  • Select one email address and password to be used for all applications.
  • We recommend that you use the email address of the person responsible for administration of the grant. The Patterson Foundation will send all communications to this email address.

Follow-up report

  • You will be asked to complete a follow-up report within 60 days after the event.
  • To complete the report, simply log in to our grant application system and find the draft follow-up report assigned to you. Click on the draft to complete and submit the final report.

Ready to apply?

Apply now
FFA funding

FFA funding

FFA funding

The Patterson Foundation board of directors voted to add FFA funding to its annual grantmaking programs in 2021, solidifying a formal partnership between the Foundation and the National FFA Organization. FFA is a youth organization of around 760,000 student members that prepares them for leadership, growth and career success in the field of agricultural education. Students receive intra-curricular instruction delivered through classroom or lab instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs like work-based learning, and student leadership opportunities through national and state FFA organizations.

The Foundation is donating $24,000 in grants to eight different chapters across the U.S. This funding will be reserved for teacher development and each chapter can expect to receive this funding annually.