By Dr. Gary W. Lowder
(as presented to the Washington State PFA Section Meeting)

The purpose of the Foundation of the Pierre Fauchard Academy is to administer the funding of Grants for worthy projects involving dental acre for the low income and underserved populations throughout the world. That being said, the accumulation of funds for the fulfillment of that purpose becomes a major function of the Foundation, Each year approximately 57 U.S. and 28 non-U.S. dental school student scholarships in the amount of $1500 are presented to third-year dental students who are selected by their deans as recipients. They are awarded on the basis of leadership, scholarship, and need. The funding is designated for fourth-year tuition costs.

Additionally, approximately $180.000, in available grant funding monies are awarded to deserving projects throughout the U.S., Canada, and the world. These then are used to assist in the acquisition of materials and supplies and small equipment needed to operate clinics and programs for providing needed dental care. The awarding of grant funds is focused first on those worthy grants deemed as most impacted by the grant money. Those projects whose successful accomplishments of their stated purposed are most dependent on FPFA fund-ing receive the most favorable status for grant acceptance. The application process and funding eligibility cri-teria are available online. All grant applications must comply with stated criteria found online at www.fauchard.org in order to qualify for review and possible funding.

As a result of the recent financial changes in the U.S. and throughout the world, the corpus of the Foundation has decreased from approximately $7 million to just over $5 million. This results in a decrease of available funds for the scholarships and grants. The Foundation has recently hired a new Executive Director, Laura Fleming Doyle, with successful background in organizational leadership, fundraising and financial manage-ment. Her past experience with other medical and professionally orientated organizations is seen as a positive benefit for furthering the purpose of the Foundation. Through increasing our corpus and the growth of funds available for the increasing numbers of worthy grants applying for Foundation funding we will be more en-abled to meet the growing need.

In 2009, by the June 1st deadline, 45 grants were received for review. The average request was for the full $10,000 limit. Because this year's available funds amounted to only $163,450.00, only a portion of the grants will be funded and none of them for the full amount of the request.

Because of the increased need, the Foundation has launched a campaign to raise the available funds through individual and corporate donations. All monies donated will be carefully managed to achieve the maximum effectiveness for providing dental care.

Years ago, Dr. Wayne Dyer introduced the thought, "If you are what you do, then when you don't, you aren't" any of us, whether still producing income through dental services to patients, education, research, or who are now retired are orientated toward production or doing. Personal donations to the Foundation enable us to extend our positive input to the world around us. This allows being more than just what we do and ex-tends our contribution to the profession of dentistry and the public it serves.

Thank you in advance for your caring enough to contribute both with your personal involvement and financial support.