Philanthropy is more than the act of giving to a worthy cause. There is so much power in giving—to both the receiver and the giver.
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Barb Kozuh
Contributor
Barb Kozuh is the executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. She and her team work to make a positive impact to improve the health and wellness of the underserved and under-represented people across Arizona. The foundation focuses on funding oral health and food insecurity programs through medical-dental integration programs, screening/fluoride varnish programs, oral health education programs, plus a variety of food banks, after-school and weekend programs that provide food to those in need.
Barb was inspired by the dedication, patience and kind-heartedness of her childhood family dentist in Joliet, IL and wanted to make others feel good about their smiles by becoming a dentist. However, after graduating from Arizona State University with a business degree, she was lured into the non-profit sports industry where she was able to both fulfill her need to help others and satisfy her love of sports. Barb has served as executive director of Chicago White Sox Charities, the Frank Thomas Charitable Foundation and Phoenix Coyotes Charities. In addition, Barb has worked in marketing, advertising and public relations for a number of firms in Chicago. Barb serves on the Delta Dental Institute advisory council, board of the Corporate Volunteer Council and is a member of the Arizona Oral Health Coalition.
Recent blog posts written by Barb Kozuh
HOPE Program Increases Impact 5000% in Less Than a Year
I have worked in philanthropy for over 20 years, primarily on the funding side, with literally hundreds of programs, program directors, nonprofit staff, grant writers and foundation staff. All the programs had goals and benchmarks to achieve as part of their grants. The vast majority of programs reached their goals. Some needed additional time, some […]
North Country HealthCare’s Medical/Dental Integration Program Expands During COVID-19
I have spent over 20 years working in philanthropy in a variety of roles, but mostly in grantmaking. The relationship between the funding organization and the recipient can sometimes be viewed as paternal, with the organization funding the projects as the parent and the recipient being the child. I’ve never looked at my grantee-funder relationships […]
Foundation Spotlight: El Rio Community Health Center
Literally, every day I sit at my desk I think about the work I do and how it applies to Delta Dental of Arizona’s mission to improve lives by promoting optimal oral health for uninsured and underinsured populations across the state. One way the DDAZ Foundation looks to improve oral health across the state is […]
Foundation Spotlight: Esperança’s Oral Health Program
Cavities, sometimes known as “caries” or tooth decay, are one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the United States. In fact, about 1 in 5 children aged 5 to 11 years old have at least one untreated cavity. In Arizona, that number is even higher. More than half of Arizona’s kindergarten children […]
Foundation Spotlight: A.T. Still University Sealant Program
For more than 20 years the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation has worked to improve oral health and prevent dental disease in the most underserved and uninsured communities across Arizona. And through the decades we’ve been fortunate to team up with some incredible community partners to help support children, families, and older adults in getting […]
Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Supports Senior Smiles
At Delta Dental of Arizona our mission is to improve lives by promoting optimal oral health for all Arizonans. From teaching toddlers how to brush their baby teeth to connecting pregnant women and seniors to low-cost preventive screenings and cleanings, we make it our goal to help provide access to oral health care at every […]
Improving Overall Health in Children Through Dental-Medical Integration
A child’s smile can do more than light up a room, it can serve as a barometer to overall health. However, in any given year, 108 million adults visit a physician but do not see a dentist, including more than 60 percent of children aged 1 through 4 years according to the ADA Health Policy […]
Dental CE Opportunities for AZ Dentists
Each year, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation (DDAZF) board selects a group of nonprofits across the state as grant recipients to improve the oral health of Arizonans. These funds are used to support projects, programs and services that promote good oral health practices. One of our grantees, Southern Arizona Oral Health Coalition (SAzOHC), uses their […]
10 Ways to Help Others During COVID-19
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has put our world into pandemic and left many of us feeling helpless and wondering, “How can we help?” Health and safety are top priorities for a great deal of Americans. Spending time in a large crowd or doing hands-on volunteering may seem risky, so it’s time to get creative! There are […]