The Benwood Foundation has identified four focus areas that are critical to the future of the community and are within the reach of philanthropy to affect in a positive and long-term way:

• Public Education
• Arts & Culture (which includes Gaining Ground)
• Environment
• Neighborhood & Community Development

The Foundation will identify specific opportunities for positive, long-term change in these areas and issue Requests for Proposal. Although each area can be considered self-contained, the Foundation will explore interrelationships among them and possibilities for synergistic approaches. Organizations that best fit the Foundation's priorities will be invited to submit grant proposals. The Foundation will not entertain unsolicited proposals for Focus Area Grants.