USC School of Dentistry Smiles On Latest Grant

California Community Foundation awarded $477,247 in grants to 28 Los Angeles area nonprofit organizations in February. The largest grant, totaling $112,600, will go to USC’s School of Dentistry for free dental care for students at inner-city schools. Other recipients include Alternative Living for the Aging, Beyond Baroque Foundation, Cal State Los Angeles, Catholic Charities-Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women, Children’s Bureau of Los Angeles-Orange County Family Link Project, Community Housing Services, Constitutional Rights Foundation, Coro Foundation, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Inner City Arts, Lula Washington Contemporary Dance Foundation, San Fernando Valley Assn. for the Retarded and South Bay Free Clinic.

* The Fulfillment Fund has received a $1-million donation from Los Angeles Rams owner Georgia Frontiere. The donation was announced at the annual Scholar’s Day luncheon on Tuesday at the Beverly Hilton. The fund provides support systems to help underprivileged students pursue higher education. This help, which begins as early as eighth grade and continues through college, can include paying for Scholastic Aptitude tests, mentoring, college/career counseling centers and support groups on college campuses.

* City of Hope’s Merchants Club celebrated its 58th anniversary at the Regal Ball. The gala at the Beverly Hilton raised $600,000 for medical center programs in patient care, scientific research and medical education in major diseases.

* Shelter Partnership’s annual benefit dinner, held at the Biltmore Hotel, netted more than $75,000. The nonprofit organization, established in 1985, finds housing and resources for the homeless. Proceeds will be used to move 2,000 families into affordable housing.

* Women in Theatre netted $2,500 at its FUNdraiser, “An Evening of Comedy and Wit,” last month at the Santa Monica Improv. Proceeds will be applied to 1990-’91 matching grants. Women in Theatre activities include workshops, seminars, symposiums, play readings, play writing classes, production, job referral, professional networking, group theater nights, monthly newsletter and a magazine.

* John Wayne Cancer Clinic’s division of surgical oncology was the beneficiary of $150,000, presented last month at a cocktail reception at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club. The funds were raised at a gala given by the Associates for Breast Cancer Studies.

* Oakwood School in North Hollywood celebrated its 40th year with a benefit birthday bash at the Park Plaza Hotel. The event raised more than $70,000 for scholarship and endowment programs. DeeDee Sussman was chairwoman.

* American Heart Assn.’s community education and research programs received a total of more than $12,000 in pledges from two Hacienda Heights companies at fund-raising parties. Century 21 Young Realty office raised $5,400 in pledges and George Realty raised $7,000. These events were sponsored by the newly formed Puente Hills Branch of the Heart Assn. and were chaired by Rose La’Zurs.

* Wellness Community’s annual gala at the Radisson Hotel in Manhattan Beach raised $10,000 for free programs of psychosocial support, hope, learning and friendship for cancer patients and their families.

* Free Arts for Abused Children has received a surprise gift of $50,000 through a television game show in December. Michael Landon appeared and designated his winnings to Free Arts.

* Orthopaedic Hospital, Los Angeles, has initiated a music therapy program benefiting disabled children in the hospital. A $25,000 grant from Joseph Drown Foundation provided funds to hire a registered music therapist.