Role of the Alpha Omega Foundation of Canada in the funding ecosystem
The Alpha Omega Foundation of Canada is a registered non-profit charitable foundation, incorporated on 17 November 1970 and closely associated with the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity. Operating from Toronto and drawing membership from Alpha Omega dentists across Canada, the foundation channels members’ contributions and public donations into grants that advance dentistry, oral health research and related charitable causes in Canada, Israel and internationally.
Donations to the foundation are either distributed as specifically designated by donors or allocated by the Board of Directors at its annual meeting. Over its history, the foundation has committed to supporting the two Israeli dental schools at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, along with numerous dental clinics, hospitals and community organizations.
Main grant programs and funding themes
The foundation administers several recurring grant streams. The Sherman Prize supports undergraduate dental students, recognizing scholarship and leadership within Alpha Omega chapters. Applicants submit contact details, academic records and curriculum vitae by a set annual deadline, and awards are announced after review.
The Mervyn Gornitsky Post-Doctoral Research Project Fund dedicates annual funding to research projects in “dental and dentally related interests”. Applications are solicited from Canadian dental schools and hospitals, evaluated by a grants committee, and awardees are expected to acknowledge the foundation’s support in resulting publications and presentations. The website highlights numerous funded projects each year, illustrating support for both basic and clinical oral health research.
Beyond individual researchers and students, the foundation also provides grants to charitable organizations involved in dental care, disability services, social inclusion and related fields. Past recipients include dental clinics in hospitals, international volunteer programs and Israeli social service organizations. Requests for this category of support can be submitted via the foundation’s contact form ahead of its annual October funding decisions.
Supported audiences and overall impact
Beneficiaries of the Alpha Omega Foundation of Canada span several groups: undergraduate and graduate dental students, post-doctoral researchers, dental schools and teaching hospitals, and charitable organizations delivering oral health services or broader social support. By combining scholarships, research grants and institutional support, the foundation seeks to strengthen the dental profession, foster scientific advancement, and expand access to dental care for underserved populations.
Governance, alliances and partnerships
The foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with representation from multiple Canadian cities, supported by a long-serving secretary-treasurer who oversees day-to-day operations. It participates in the International Alliance of Alpha Omega Charitable Organizations, which coordinates fundraising projects and information-sharing between foundations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel and other countries.
Through its integration with the broader Alpha Omega network and initiatives such as the Global Oral Health Initiative (GOHI), the foundation aligns its grantmaking with global efforts to improve oral health, support philanthropic engagement among dental professionals, and leverage international partnerships for greater impact.