Applicants Start Here
Straightening Paths to Brighter Futures
If your child needs braces and financial constraints have made treatment difficult to access, Eternal Smiles Foundation is here to help. Our grant program supports children of single-parent households with the resources they need for a healthier, more confident smile.
We are honored to support our Blessed Kids with not only straighter teeth, but brighter paths forward—and hope each child carries that kindness with them and pays it forward.
If your child needs braces and financial constraints have made treatment difficult to access, Eternal Smiles Foundation is here to help. Our grant program supports children of single-parent households with the resources they need for a healthier, more confident smile.
We are honored to support our Blessed Kids with not only straighter teeth, but brighter paths forward—and hope each child carries that kindness with them and pays it forward.
Application Details
Eternal Smiles Foundation accepts applications on a quarterly cycle. Each grant cycle includes a dedicated application window followed by a review and notification period. Please refer to the schedule below for grant timing guidelines.
| Applications Open* | Fee, Application, Documents Due | Awards Issued |
| Q1: January – February | 2/28/26 | March |
| Q2: April – May | 5/31/26 | June |
| Q3: July – August | 8/31/26 | September |
| Q4: October – November | 11/30/26 | December |
*Eternal Smiles Foundation may update the application open/closed status as needed to manage the number of applications received.
Eternal Smiles Foundation accepts applications on a quarterly cycle. Each grant cycle includes a dedicated application window followed by a review and notification period. Please refer to the schedule below for grant timing guidelines.
| Applications Open* | Fee, Application, Documents Due | Awards Issued |
| Q1: January – February | 2/28/26 | March |
| Q2: April – May | 5/31/26 | June |
| Q3: July – August | 8/31/26 | September |
| Q4: October – November | 11/30/26 | December |
*Eternal Smiles Foundation may update the application open/closed status as needed to manage the number of applications received.
Our Application Process
Primary Qualifiers
To help families quickly determine potential eligibility, the Eternal Smiles Foundation focuses on these primary qualifiers:
- Age*: 12–17
- Household income*: At or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Single-parent household
- May not currently be wearing braces
- Only one child per family is eligible for an orthodontic grant each calendar year
Final eligibility is determined through the full Pre-Screen (below).
*Criteria may be adjusted based on application volume and available funding.
Step 1: Pre-Screen
The Pre-Screen tool helps determine whether your child meets the minimum eligibility requirements before beginning a full application. Once the nonrefundable $50 processing fee is submitted, you will have until the end of the quarterly application cycle to complete and upload all required documentation. Completing the Pre-Screen does not guarantee eligibility or selection; it simply confirms whether you may proceed to the full application.
Step 2: Application
The full application opens after the Pre-Screen is completed, the processing fee is received, and your application portal log-in information is delivered. All application materials must be submitted by the end of the grant cycle. The $50 processing fee is nonrefundable. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection, as the program is competitive and the number of grants awarded each year is limited. ESF may request additional documentation if needed to verify information.
Step 3: Review and Scoring
Once the application window closes, all submitted documentation will be reviewed by ESF staff to determine whether minimum program eligibility requirements have been met. Applicants who meet minimum eligibility will be forwarded to the Selection Committee for initial scoring based on clinical need, personal narrative, financial circumstances, and alignment with ESF’s mission.
Applicants who meet the initial scoring threshold will advance to the Selection Committee for final review and decision-making.
Please note:
Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection. The process is competitive, and the number of grants awarded each year is limited.
Step 4: Grant Issuance
Families selected to receive a grant will be contacted with next steps. ESF will coordinate directly with the family’s chosen orthodontic provider to arrange payments. The parent or guardian is responsible for scheduling the child’s appointment and beginning treatment.
Step 5: Commitment to Care
Grant recipients and guardians are expected to uphold all appointment, hygiene, and appliance-care requirements throughout treatment. ESF will conduct check-ins every six months with the orthodontist to confirm continued progress and compliance.
Please note: All routine and emergency dental care, before, during, and after orthodontic treatment, is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian. This includes cleanings, fillings, extractions, and post-treatment retainers or appliances.
Step 6: Pay It Forward
We hope the transformation and confidence gained through the blessing of braces inspires each child to make a positive impact—whether by helping another child, serving their community, or using their gifts to create change. This movement is designed to ripple outward, and we encourage every recipient to consider how they might pay forward the blessing they have received.
