Benwood Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9.1 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Chattanooga, TN exclusively

Contact Details

• Website: www.benwood.org
• Phone: 423-267-4311
• Email: info@benwood.org, morr@benwood.org
• Address: 736 Market Street Suite 1600, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Overview

Founded in 1944 by George Thomas Hunter, former Chair of Coca-Cola bottling company Thomas, Inc., the Benwood Foundation has been a cornerstone of Chattanooga philanthropy for nearly 80 years. With total assets of approximately $104 million and annual charitable disbursements of $9.1 million in 2024, the foundation seeks to "stimulate creative and innovative efforts to build and strengthen the Chattanooga, TN community." Following Hunter's death in 1950, the bulk of his multimillion-dollar estate was bequeathed to the foundation, establishing its substantial endowment. The foundation focuses on supporting leaders and initiatives that help strengthen shared prosperity and inclusion in Chattanooga.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Urban Vitality

• Promoting a thriving culture, public realm, and economy in Chattanooga's urban core
• Supporting inclusive downtown design and vibrant growth
• Fostering healthy diverse neighborhoods
• Promoting workforce affordability
• Creating accessible wealth-building opportunities

Talent Development

• Ensuring the development of talent in all residents from cradle to career
• Supporting high quality and equitable education systems
• Ensuring children are physically and emotionally healthy
• Promoting social and civic connection
• Advancing academic and vocational productivity

Economic Opportunity

• Creating inclusive pathways to high-wage careers
• Removing systemic barriers to economic advancement
• Creating wealth-building opportunities for all residents
• Connecting economic growth to inclusive opportunity

Leadership & Engagement

• Supporting the next generation of diverse leaders
• Building ecosystem of community engagement
• Supporting diverse resident participation
• Promoting community leadership development
• Supporting leadership programs and grassroots neighborhood leaders

Culture & Belonging

• Strengthening, supporting, and celebrating cultural amenities
• Creating sense of place for all residents

Additional Program Areas

• Arts and Culture
• Environment and conservation of natural resources
• Neighborhood and Community Development
• Public Education with emphasis on literacy in elementary schools
• Food systems through initiatives like Gaining Ground (launched 2010)

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified

Governance and Leadership

Key Staff:

• President: Sarah Morgan (2024 compensation: $290,900)
• Program Officers: Jeff Pfitzer and Lori Quillen

The foundation partners with organizations including the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga and the Harvard Young American Leaders Program to advance its leadership development goals.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Benwood Foundation works by invitation only, selecting organizations to submit grant proposals based on alignment with their strategic priorities and focus areas.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the invitation-only nature of their grant-making, organizations seeking Benwood support should:

• Establish a track record of impactful work in Chattanooga aligned with Benwood's five focus areas
• Build relationships with Benwood staff and board members through community engagement
• Partner with organizations already in the Benwood portfolio
• Demonstrate innovative approaches to community challenges in Chattanooga

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

As an invitation-only funder, organizations most likely to receive Benwood support will:

• Have deep roots and demonstrated impact in the Chattanooga community
• Align closely with one or more of Benwood's five focus areas
• Demonstrate innovative and creative approaches to community challenges
• Show potential for systemic or transformative impact
• Have strong leadership and organizational capacity
• Focus on enhancing educational, development, and environmental goals
• Work to improve opportunities in inner-city and distressed areas
• Promote academic achievement, especially literacy in public elementary schools

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Benwood Foundation is an invitation-only funder with no public application process
• All funding is restricted to Chattanooga, TN organizations and initiatives
• With $9.1 million in annual giving from a $104 million asset base, they are a major philanthropic force in Chattanooga
• Focus areas emphasize systemic change, equity, and inclusive prosperity
• Building relationships and demonstrating aligned impact in Chattanooga is essential before being invited to apply
• The foundation particularly values innovative and creative approaches to community challenges
• Strong emphasis on supporting diverse leaders and inclusive community development

References

• Benwood Foundation Official Website: www.benwood.org (Accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Benwood Foundation Profile: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/620476283 (Accessed January 2025)
• GuideStar Profile - Benwood Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/62-0476283 (Accessed January 2025)
• Foundation Center Online - Benwood Foundation Profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BENW001 (Accessed January 2025)