CFDA#
None
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Funder Type
Corporate Foundation
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IT Classification
B - Readily funds technology as part of an award
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Authority
Norfolk Southern Foundation
Summary
The Norfolk Southern Foundation was established in 1983 to direct and implement Norfolk Southern Corporation's charitable giving programs. Through strategic investment in educational, cultural, environmental, and human service organizations within Norfolk Southern's service territory, the Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for Norfolk Southern employees and the "livability" of the communities it serves.
The current focus areas of the program are:
- Safety First Grant Program - designed to promote overall community safety across Norfolk Southern's 22-state network. This program is intended to support organizations that directly provide safety services or operate programs that promote safe behavior. Grants are awarded for specific projects and programs only, not for general operating support.
- Thriving Communities Grants Program - designed to promote sustainability initiatives, workforce development programs, and community resiliency efforts across Norfolk Southern's 22-state network. Grants are awarded for specific projects and programs only, not for general operating support.
- In-Kind Donation Grant Program - designed to support organizations interested in obtaining Norfolk Southern materials for projects that align with the foundation's focus areas. This grant is for physical donations only, no monetary grants will be disbursed through this program.
History of Funding
In 2024, Norfolk Southern contributed nearly $18.3 million dollars to charitable organizations across their 22-state network.
In 2023, Norfolk Southern contributed nearly $18.2 million dollars to charitable organizations across their 22-state network.
More information can be found here: https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/commitments/in-your-community/corporate-giving
Additional Information
The Norfolk Southern Foundation takes the following into consideration when selecting projects to fund:
- The Norfolk Southern presence in the organization's service area
- The organization's mission in relation to Norfolk Southern's corporate creed, strategies, and current initiatives
- Other/multiple funding partners being utilized by the organization
- Historic and future viability of organization
- Type and purpose of proposed project – does it serve to build and strengthen capacity, increase impact and outreach efforts, allow more effective and efficient operation, etc.
- Ability of the organization optimally leverage monies received to obtain additional funding
- Organization's collaboration with other local non-profits and/or programming to enhance services without duplication
- The NS Foundation does not provide leadership gifts or support requests for which they are asked to be the sole funder
Eligibility Details
Only applicants that are public 501(c)(3)s, government entities, and public/charter schools in Norfolk Southern's 22-state network are eligible to apply. The project must be located within 30 miles of a NS main line. States within the network are Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. To verify your organization's distance from the network, you can visit nsites.NorfolkSouthern.com and enter your address to view your proximity to Norfolk Southern tracks.
Deadline Details
Applications for the Thriving Communities and Safety First grants during the 2026 program year will be accepted from February 2 through August 3, 2026. All other grant programs do not have a deadline to apply and are open year-round. Similar timelines are anticipated annually.
Award Details
The funding amount and number of grants awarded varies from year to year based on the number of applications received. Generally, the Thriving Communities grant ranges from $1,000 to $50,000 and the Safety First Grant ranges from $1,000 to $15,000.
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