The Benwood Foundation is driven by the force of its historical devotion to bettering its community and by the dedication of its Trustees and staff to build on a tradition of civic leadership.

All that the Foundation does expresses a set of deeply held values that include:

• High quality in the work that it does, in the organizations it supports, and in the results that it seeks

• Great expectations for the results of its work and in the standards that it sets for itself

• Dedication to community by seeking to improve the lives and circumstances of the residents of Chattanooga-Hamilton County

• Legacy, by honoring the past while embracing the future and serving as an effective steward of its resources

• Leadership for the community, by seeking to set a powerful and positive example in philanthropy

• Innovation through prudent risk taking

• Active learning, pursued by questioning and exploration

• Focus on results, in its own work and that of its partners and grantees

• Accountability for its efforts and results