The Patterson Foundation announces its first Signature Grants

Always advancing is one of Patterson’s values and mindset. The Patterson Foundation applied this principle to its grantmaking strategy with the launch of its first‑ever Signature Grants, marking an evolution in how the Foundation supports nonprofits.

This new, invitation‑only grant opportunity provides a one‑time $60,000 award – double the Foundation’s previous maximum grant amount. These Signature Grants will support capacity building, organizational growth and expanded access in dental care and assistance dog training.

By increasing both the size and depth of its investments, Signature Grants represent an intentional step toward deeper, more holistic partnerships.

Meet our 2026 Signature Grant recipients

Community Smiles Dental (greater Milwaukee area) 

Founded in 2007, Community Smiles Dental (CSD) is dedicated to improving the lives of underserved individuals through oral health care services, preventive education and advocacy for systemic health care change. 

Territory Representative Erica Olsen and Equipment Specialist Matt Fritz from the Milwaukee branch work closely with Community Smiles Dental, strengthening the relationship at both the local and organizational levels.

The Foundation has supported CSD since 2018 through personnel, program and capital grants. With this Signature Grant, the Foundation’s total investment reaches $147,500.

Can Do Canines (Minnesota) 

Since 1989, Can Do Canines (CDC) has provided fully trained assistance dogs, free of charge, to people with disabilities, including those with mobility challenges, hearing loss, seizure disorders, diabetes with hypoglycemia unawareness and autism. 

Can Do Canines was featured at the Patterson Animal Health National Sales Meeting in 2025. Territory Manager Zack Schleicher is currently working with CDC for their new on‑site veterinary clinic. The organization has partnered with Patterson for volunteer events at the Minnesota headquarters campus and we sponsored the “T” litter of eight puppies in 2025.

The Foundation has partnered with Can Do Canines since 2018. With this Signature Grant, the Foundation’s total investment increases to $246,000.

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Continuing to serve

In addition to the new signature grants being awarded this quarter, our community grants program invested nearly $250,000.00 in total to organizations across North America. Learn more about our 15 nonprofit recipients, including six new organizations:

Harmony Health Clinic, Little Rock, AR – $10,000 

Harmony Health Clinic’s mission is to provide free, compassionate medical, dental, behavioral health and social support services to underserved individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Territory Representative Jason Earnhart works closely with HHC and referred them to the Foundation. This is their sixth grant award, totaling $51,000 to support their mission. 

Apple Tree Dental, Mounds View, MN – $18,291 

Apple Tree Dental provides comprehensive services delivered by dental teams with specialized training in pediatrics, geriatrics, public health and special care. Using their Community Collaborative Practice model, their teams provide culturally competent and equitable dental services to people facing barriers to care.Regional President Cara Cherry works closely with this organization and referred them to the Foundation. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $18,291 of personnel funding to this organization. This is their seventh grant, totaling more than $260,000 in funding.

Ready, Set, Smile, Minneapolis, MN – $20,000 

Ready, Set, Smile prepares and empowers all children in the Twin Cities metro community to care for their oral health. Their vision is that every child in the MN metro will have an opportunity to be free of dental disease by providing 6,500 dental visits and 250 classroom education lessons. This is their third grant, totaling more than $30,000 to this organization.

Autism Dog Services, Ontario, Canada – $15,930 

Autism Dog Services (ADS) is a charitable organization focused on providing highly trained service dogs to assist individuals with autism in Southwestern Ontario. Their mission is to foster the integration of individuals with autism by training, placing and supporting service dogs that offer safety, companionship and independence. This is their third grant, totaling more than $67,000 to this organization.

Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, Southington, CT – $5,000 

A Mission of Mercy clinic in Mansfield, Connecticut, this 100-chair clinic will treat 1,100 with the help from 200 volunteers. Territory Representative Ryan Mastej and District Manager Summer Wagner work closely with this organization with volunteer support from Patterson, along with product and equipment donations totaling over $15,000 in support since 2023.

Michigan Dental Association Foundation, Okemos, MI – $5,000 

This 100-chair Mission of Mercy clinic takes place in Kalamazoo, Michigan, from June 12–13. At this event, they are hoping to treat 1,500 with the help of 1,700 volunteers. General Manager Chad Cunningham works with this organization to provide employee engagement and volunteer efforts from Patterson, along with product and equipment donations. This is their third grant, totaling over $13,000 since 2016.

California CareForce, Roseville, CA – $5,000 

This 100-chair Mission of Mercy clinic takes place in Indio, California, from February 27 to March 3. At this event, they are hoping to treat 850 with the help of 200 volunteers. This is their seventh grant, totaling over $39,000 in support since 2014.

New Q1 grantees

Hawkeye Community College Foundation, Waterloo, IA – $3,500 

The Hawkeye Community College Foundation will be hosting several Give Kids A Smile events in Waterloo, Iowa, during the month of July. At these events, they’re hoping to educate, screen and treat 250 patients with the help from 16 volunteers. 

The Dental Foundation of Oregon, Wilsonville, OR – $1,412 

The Dental Foundation of Oregon will be hosting a Give Kids A Smile event at Powell Elementary School in Oregon in February. At this event, they’re hoping to educate, screen and treat 150 patients with the help of 40 volunteers. 

Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services, Goochland, VA – $10,000 

GoochlandCares works to expand equitable access to health care and essential services for low-income and vulnerable residents; strengthen long-term stability for individuals and families by addressing both immediate needs and underlying social determinants of health; and ensure organizational sustainability through strong partnerships, volunteer engagement, and efficient, coordinated service delivery. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $10,000 of personnel funding. 

Guide Dogs of the Desert, Whitewater, CA – $14,800 

Guide Dogs of the Desert (GDD) serves individuals who are legally blind. GDD clients represent a broad spectrum of visual impairment that ranges from legal blindness to a complete lack of vision. GDD clients are from all ages, genders, income levels and ethnic/racial backgrounds and all of their guide dogs and training are provided free of charge to clients in need. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $14,800 to support critical veterinary procedures needed for their hypoallergenic dogs, as well as specialized guide dog harnesses. 

Beverly Farm Foundation, Godfrey, IL – $5,000 

The Beverly Farm Foundation has created a loving, caring home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Twice per week, a dental hygienist provides cleanings and routine preventive care to 265 residents with the help from nearly 20 dental hygiene students from Lewis and Clark Community College. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $5,000 for personnel funding. 

London Community Dental Alliance, Ontario, Canada – $10,000 

The London Community Dental Alliance opened Wright Clinic in 2021 for the purpose of relieving poverty and promoting health equity by operating an affordable, professional and trauma-informed dental clinic to improve overall health for people who are living on low incomes. The Clinic provides a full spectrum of oral health care services to adults aged 18 and older who are low-income, have minimal insurance through a government plan or do not have dental insurance at all. The Patterson Foundation is proud to award $10,000 for personnel funding.