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Norfolk Southern Foundation

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flag Norfolk Southern Foundation donates to ForKids
flag Norfolk Southern Foundation donates $25,000 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia | photo
pdf Norfolk Southern Contributions 2009 Annual Report
flag Norfolk Southern Foundation awards $5.7 million in 2009
pdf Norfolk Southern Contributions 2008 Annual Report
flag Norfolk Southern Foundation Awards $2.2 Million in First Half of 2008

General Information

Norfolk Southern Foundation was established in 1984 to direct and implement Norfolk Southern Corporation's charitable giving programs. Through strategic investment in educational, cultural, environmental and economic development opportunities within the region served by Norfolk Southern, the Foundation seeks to raise the standards of such programming, thereby enhancing the quality of life for Norfolk Southern employees and enhancing the "livability" of the communities it serves, enabling them to attract additional business development.

The Foundation's intent is to help ensure that:

  • Our region's children are provided with first-class educational opportunities that make them productive and valued employees in the future;
  • Our communities can offer their citizens access to cultural opportunities that make life more enjoyable; and
  • Our communities can provide residential and work environments that are safe, attractive and desirable.

As a major employer in both large and small communities throughout the eastern United States, Norfolk Southern takes seriously its role as a corporate citizen and its responsibility to commit resources, both human and financial, to the improvement of those communities for the benefit of our employees and our neighbors. This commitment is acknowledged in Norfolk Southern's Corporate Creed .

In 2007, charitable and other contributions totaled more than $13.86 million.

Grant Programs

Norfolk Southern Foundation offers grants in three principal areas:

  • Educational programs, primarily at the post-secondary level;
  • Community enrichment focusing on cultural and artistic organizations; and
  • Environmental programs.

Grants are awarded only to eligible organizations located within Norfolk Southern Corporation territory that are described under either Section 170 (c)(1) or Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Grants may be awarded for specific projects or programs, including capital projects.

Foundation contributions also are made to United Way agencies within Norfolk Southern's territory, but there is no application procedure for these; contributions are made based on the Norfolk Southern employee population in a given community.

Applications will not be accepted from:

  • Individuals or organizations established to help specific individuals
  • Religious, fraternal, social or veterans organizations
  • Political or lobbying organizations
  • Public or private elementary and secondary schools
  • Organizations whose activities are focused outside Norfolk Southern territory
  • Fundraising events, telethons, races or benefits
  • Sports and athletic organizations and activities
  • Community or private foundations, or other organizations that merely redistribute to other eligible organizations aggregated contributions
  • Disease-related organizations, hospitals and social services organizations

To Apply for a Grant

Under the Foundation's program of discretionary funding, grant requests are accepted only between July 15 and September 30 for funding in the following calendar year. Written requests should outline the purpose and objectives of the organization, sources of funding, organization officers and directors, and intended use of funds requested. Applications must include a copy of the organization's IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) letter of determination and the last three years of financial statements.

Decisions will be made by December 31 for the following year's discretionary funding program. The Vice President and Executive Officer and the Executive Director are responsible for the interpretation and administration of the Foundation's grant program, and their decision is final.

Mail applications to:

Norfolk Southern Foundation
P. O. Box 3040
Norfolk, VA 23514-3040

Questions may be directed to the Foundation at 757-629-2881 or by email to katie.fletcher@nscorp.com .