Purpose: The purpose of the FDA Foundation's Emergency Disaster Grant Program is to help meet dentists' most urgent personal needs immediately following a disaster. A disaster is defined as a "sudden occurrence which inflicts widespread catastrophic damage to a large geographic area and/or which generally affects a large number of individuals." Disasters can be both natural and caused by human conduct. Examples include, but are not necessarily limited to: civil disorders (excluding acts of war), explosions, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, tidal waves, wildfires, hurricanes, ice storms and similar natural disasters.

Immediate Needs: The use of emergency grant funds is limited to meeting disaster victims’ most urgent and vital personal needs immediately following a disaster. Emergency grants are not intended for long-term needs such as rebuilding homes and buildings, or replacing household and personal belongings. Grant funds also cannot be used to replace lost income. Emergency Disaster Grant funding is not intended for replacement of dental practice property, dental supplies, staff salary, etc.

Emergency grants are to address immediate emergency personal needs such as:

• Food
• Bottled water
• Clothing
• Blankets
• Medicine and medical supplies
• Emergency shelter
• Toiletries

Eligibility Requirements: Any dentist who is affected by a disaster may apply to the FDA Foundation for a grant if he/she is currently residing in Florida and meets one or more of the following requirements:

• Is a graduate of a pre-doctoral dental degree program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
• Currently holds or formerly held a valid dental license in any U.S. state or territory
• Is employed by or serving on active duty in one of the U.S. Federal Dental Services
• Is working as a dental school faculty member, dental administrator or consultant at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Applicants are not required to be members of the American Dental Association and Florida Dental Association in order to be eligible to receive a disaster grant.

 

Dollar Amount and Number of Grants Available: The grant award for any applicant may be in an amount up to $1,500. The dollar amount and number of grants made will depend on the number of applicants and the amount of funds available at any given time. The final decision regarding the number, timing and amount of grants is solely within the purview of the FDA Foundation Board of Directors. Grants for disaster assistance shall be awarded only once per applicant per disaster.

Application and Processing: The application must be completed and signed by the applicant. Since the purpose of these grants is to give a measure of immediate or proximate assistance, all requests for such grants shall be made within 60 days of the occurrence of the disaster. This time may be extended at the discretion of the Board.

The quickest way to receive funds is via ACH payment directly to your bank.   ACH payment will be processed in one to two days to your personal bank account.  The form is encrypted and secure, so your data will not be compromised.

In some areas, UPS is not delivering to residential homes because of damage - don't delay your Emergency Disaster Funds. Please consider checking the ACH payment.

Additional Information: If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact R. Jai Gillum at the FDA Foundation at foundation@floridadental.org or 850.681.3629.

Certification by Applicant and Signature

By initialing below, I verify that the above information is true and complete and that I have a valid need for funds. I understand that a fraudulent representation or omission of any information requested is grounds for immediate refusal to grant emergency assistance. I understand that the granting of emergency assistance is neither a right nor entitlement and that the Board of Directors of the FDA Foundation shall have sole discretion in determining whether I qualify for assistance.