Brentwood+Foundation

Benwood Foundation, Inc.
SunTrust Bank Bldg. 736 Market St., Ste. 1600 Chattanooga, TN 37402-4807 Contact: Corinne Allen, Exec. Dir. Fax: (423) 267-9049 E-mail: callen@benwood.org URL: www.benwood.org

Type of Grantmaker
Independent foundation

IRS Exemption Status
501(c)(3)

Financial Data
(yr. ended 12/31/10) Assets: $107,088,233 Total giving: $5,449,805

EIN
620476283

990-PF
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2005 2004 2004 2004 2003 2002 2001 2001 The IRS has announced processing errors on electronically filed Forms 990 for filing years 2007-2009. Learn More»



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//Note: If a donor is deceased, the symbol (‡) follows the name.// George Thomas Hunter‡



Incorporated in 1944 in DE, and 1945 in TN. Founded by George Thomas Hunter, former Chair. of the Coca-Cola bottling company, Thomas, Inc. After his death in 1950, the bulk of his multimillion dollar estate was bequeathed to the foundation.

Giving primarily in the Chattanooga, TN, area. No support for political organizations or causes. No grants to individuals, financial deficits, fundraising, or endowments, no loans (except for program-related investments)

The foundation seeks to stimulate creative and innovative efforts to build and strengthen the Chattanooga, TN community.

The grantmaker has identified the following area(s) of interest:

Arts and Culture
Arts communities bring diverse groups together, attract new investment, and provide exciting new tools in ongoing efforts to further revitalize Chattanooga. The foundation will give special consideration to investing in cultural projects that enhance the community's educational, development and/or environmental goals. Organizations that best fit the foundation's priorities will be invited to submit grant proposals.

Community Grants
The foundation believes that one aspect of its role is to provide opportunities for creativity and innovation on the part of organizations in the community. While the foundation believes that its focus area grants will address issues of critical concern to the future of Hamilton County, it recognizes that other issues and needs will arise. It further recognizes that these issues and needs may be identified by others in the community. The Community Grantmaking area will also provide support for capital campaigns. Organizations contemplating a capital campaign and desiring foundation support are encouraged to discuss the campaign with foundation staff prior to making application. Capital support to an organization will not exceed $50,000 for any campaign. In keeping with the foundation's environmental commitment, building projects that will obtain LEED certification will be eligible for $100,000. For a Community Grant application and policies see: http://www.benwood.org/pages/Guidelines/.

Environment
The foundation believes that Chattanooga's economic growth and neighborhood initiatives should be balanced with efforts to preserve and protect the community's natural environment. In seeking effective conservation of diverse and precious natural resources, the foundation supports efforts to educate the community about the critical importance of the environment. Organizations that best fit the foundation's priorities will be invited to submit grant proposals.

Gaining Ground
Realizing the need for significant changes to Chattanooga's food system, the foundation launched the program in 2010, aimed specifically at bolstering the production and consumption of locally grown food in the Chattanooga area. By building strong connections in Chattanooga's food system, supporting partners from farm to table, informing policymakers and inspiring the public, Gaining Ground aspires to help bring better food to all and help the region view food in new ways. Gaining Ground is investing in the transformation of not only the economy of Chattanooga's local food system, but also the culture in which it is embedded. The foundation has planned to invest up to $1.65 million in Gaining Ground over a three-year period. For more information contact: Jeff Pfitzer, Prog. Dir., tel.: (423) 785-4231, e-mail: gaingground@benwood.org or see: www.growchattanooga.org.

Neighborhood and Community Development
The foundation believes that vibrant neighborhoods and a thriving downtown are critical to a community's viability and it seeks to enhance the quality of life in diverse neighborhoods, including downtown. It is responsive to local community and neighborhood needs, especially those that connect local economic development with inner city and distressed area opportunities. Organizations that best fit the foundation's priorities will be invited to submit grant proposals.

Public Education
The foundation believes that excellent public education is critical to the community's quality of life and economic vitality. Its current long-term investment in school improvement has focused on academic achievement, with emphasis on literacy, in eight inner-city public elementary schools. The foundation will build on the successes of the Benwood Initiative by promoting lasting quality education in public elementary schools throughout Hamilton County.

Subjects
Arts

Economic development

Education, early childhood education

Environment

Humanities

Performing arts

Secondary school/education

Urban/community development

Tennessee

Building/renovation

Capital campaigns

Conferences/seminars

Continuing support

Equipment

Land acquisition

Management development/capacity building

Matching/challenge support

Program-related investments/loans

Program development

Scholarship funds

Seed money

Technical assistance

Application guidelines

Application form required. Applicants should submit the following: Initial approach: Contact Grants Mgr.
 * 1) Copy of IRS Determination Letter
 * 2) Brief history of organization and description of its mission
 * 3) Copy of most recent annual report/audited financial statement/990
 * 4) Listing of board of directors, trustees, officers and other key people and their affiliations
 * 5) Detailed description of project and amount of funding requested
 * 6) Copy of current year's organizational budget and/or project budget
 * 7) Listing of additional sources and amount of support

Copies of proposal: 1

Board meeting date(s): Jan., Apr., July, and Oct.

Deadline(s): Mar. 1 and Sept. 1

Final notification: 3 weeks after board meeting; board reserves privilege of delaying decision for 3 months