Patterson Foundation Announces Q2 Grantees

The Patterson Foundation continues to invest in our mission of increasing access to dental care and supporting nonprofits that raise, train and place assistance dogs. This quarter, our board of directors has approved more than $188,000 in grant funding to 13 nonprofits, including two new grantees.

Smith Island United, Ewell, Maryland – $10,000

Smith Island is an island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay that has existed for over 400 years. Now in its seventh year of volunteer service, they have made major strides in resurrecting the island dental clinic that was previously shuttered for seven years from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy. The facility is a healthcare service operation that treats a population who otherwise would have no access to dental care. James Ryan, GM with Patterson Dental, helped build this clinic and works with them through Patterson Dental on a regular basis. This organization has received five grants from the Patterson Foundation, totaling $77,000.

New grantee! Charlottesville Free Clinic, Charlottesville, Virginia – $10,000

The Charlottesville Free Clinic provides free medical and dental care and free prescriptions for uninsured and underinsured adults. Tyler Haislip works with this organization through Patterson Dental. 

Samaritan House Community Center, Rogers, Arkansas – $10,000

Low-income adults in Northwest Arkansas face significant barriers to dental care, including high costs, limited provider availability and scheduling constraints limiting daytime appointments. Without intervention, many delay treatment. SCC addresses this need through Samaritan Dental, a charitable clinic delivering preventive and restorative dental care at no cost to adults below 200% of the federal poverty level. To date, SCC has received three grants from the Patterson Foundation, totaling $41,000.

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation, Madison, Wisconsin – $20,000

Give Back a Smile (GBAS) serves survivors of domestic and sexual violence with missing or damaged teeth caused by violence. Its sole purpose is to provide life-changing smile restorations for applicants who haven’t smiled fully in years and avoid mirrors, photos and job opportunities. To date, this organization has received 10 grant awards from the Patterson Foundation since 2011, totaling over $103,000. 

Holland Free Health Clinic, Holland, Michigan – $20,000

HFHC serves uninsured and underinsured adults in Ottawa County who face financial, insurance and language barriers to dental care. Over 86% of patients live below 100% of the federal poverty level. HFHC has received eight grant awards from the Patterson Foundation since 2015, totaling over $77,000.

Matthew 25, Fort Wayne, Indiana – $10,000

Matthew 25 Health and Care is a gospel-inspired healthcare center that provides high-quality medical and dental services at no charge to low-income, uninsured adults in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio. This nonprofit has received eight grants since 2015, totaling over $77,000.

North Carolina Dental Society Foundation | Mission of Mercy Event, Cary, North Carolina – $3,500

This 45-chair Mission of Mercy clinic will take place in Gastonia, North Carolina, from October 2–3, with plans to serve 700 patients with the help of 350 volunteers. Their last grant was in 2019 for $5,000 for this MOM event. 

Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation | Mission of Mercy Event, Wakefield, Rhode Island – $3,500

This 45-chair Mission of Mercy clinic will take place in Providence from September 26–27, with plans to serve 625 patients throughout the event with help from 250 volunteers. Steve Malley from Patterson Dental works with this organization. This organization has been awarded six grants since 2018. Their last grant was in 2025 for $3,500 for this same MOM event.

Columbus Community Host Group | Remote Area Medical Event, Columbus, Ohio – $3,500

This 45-chair Remote Area Medical Event will take place in Columbus, Ohio, November 7–8, with plans to serve 750 patients throughout the event with help from 220 volunteers. Their last grant was in 2025 for $3,500 for this same MOM event. 

New grantee! Saint Francis Service Dogs, Roanoke, Virginia – $16,000

Saint Francis Service Dogs is the largest service dog organization in Virginia. Saint Francis places service dogs to assist people with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, joint and/or muscular diseases, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, paralysis and rheumatoid arthritis. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $16,000 to this organization to aid in their breeding program. 

Guide Dogs of America, Sylmar, California – $35,000

GDA|TLC breeds, raises, trains and places guide dogs, veteran service dogs, autism service dogs and facility dogs at no cost with people across North America so they can live with greater confidence and independence. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $35,000 in funding to support the construction of this organization’s intake structure. In total, we have awarded over $84,000 to help support their mission.

OccuPaws Guide Dog Association, Madison, Wisconsin – $17,413

OccuPaws’ mission is to place fully trained, healthy and well-tempered guide dogs with Midwest adults who have visual impairments at no charge with custom in-home training rather than in a traditional guide dog academy. The donation will aid in their Paws Forward training program. This organization has received four grants from the Patterson Foundation since 2017, totaling more than $31,000.

America’s VetDogs, Smithtown, New York – $30,000

America’s VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $30,000 to this organization to aid in its Connecticut Prison Puppy Program. This organization has received 12 grants from the Patterson Foundation since 2011, totaling more than $363,000.