Private foundation · Chattanooga
Benwood Foundation Inc.
Invitation only: it picks who to fund. Don't send a proposal. Look for a connection through its board. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 109 totaling $7.7 million · 1 in Washington County
- Typical grant
- $5,000 to $81,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $20,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Hamilton County, Marion County, Davidson County, Washington County · plus 8 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- 5 of its Tennessee grants went to buildings, renovations or equipment, e.g. “Expansion of early learning”; “Capital campaign”; “Capital support & general operating”
- Funds new groups?
- 37% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 27 of 73.
- Total giving that year
- $7.9 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.9M | $7.7M | 109 |
| 2023 | $5M | $4.9M | 93 |
How to apply
- Contact
- Ms sarah morgan · Chattanooga · 4232674311
- What to send
- Applications should be submitted in the form of a brief two-page letter. The letter should include a description of the project or purpose, budget information, an irs letter of determination, and a listing of officers and board of directors.
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2024. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Paul K Brock JrTrustee
- Ken JonesTrustee
- Sarah MorganPresident
- Valoria ArmstrongTrustee
- Elaine SwaffordTrustee
- Stephen CulpTrustee
- Eric FullerTrustee
- Todd WomackTrustee
As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Periscope artist entrepreneur training
- Creative entrepreneur training
- Bessie smith legacy gala
- Emma wheeler club & great futures
- Capital support & general operating
- Johnson york initiative
- Chattanooga 2.0 literacy proof point pilot
- Communications plan for child savings account
Tennessee organizations it funded
Washington County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, Washington County | Bluesky institute scholarships | $150K |
| Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Housing & neighborhood strategies | $1M |
| Chattanooga Design Studio | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Montague park planning | $650K |
| Chattanooga Housing Authority | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Westside evolves | $500K |
| Chattanooga Chamber Foundation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Chattanooga 2.0 general operating support | $280K |
| Chattanooga Design Studio | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Central civic district plan | $275K |
| Urban League of Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | General operating support/capacity building | $250K |
| Colab | Chattanooga, Marion County | General operating support | $225K |
| Chattanooga Chamber Foundation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Chattanooga future fund | $200K |
| Purpose Point Community Resource Center | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Expansion of early learning | $200K |
| River City Company | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Design development of the riverfront parks plan | $200K |
| TN Score | Nashville, Davidson County | General operating support | $200K |
| Young Womens Leadership Academy Foundation Inc. | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Steam integration, sel, and capacity building support for | $200K |
| Artsbuild | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | General operating support | $150K |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Reimagining the community college experience - seamless | $150K |
| Tivoli Theatre Foundation Inc. | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Capital campaign | $150K |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Emma wheeler club & great futures | $125K |
| La Paz Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | General operating support | $125K |
| Launch Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Marion County | General operating support | $125K |
| Public Education Foundation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Fabfolio | $125K |
| Chattanooga Design Studio | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | General operating support | $120K |
| Chambliss Center for Children | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Capital support & general operating | $100K |
| Chattanooga Chamber Foundation | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Chattanooga 2.0 literacy proof point pilot | $100K |
| Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Sankofa fund | $100K |
| Launch Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Marion County | Acquisition of kitchen incubator building | $100K |
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