Corporate Giving Partnerships

PARTNERSHIPS

Norfolk Southern’s partnerships play a pivotal role in advancing our mission of promoting safe and sustainable operations, developing the local workforce, and building strong, thriving communities. Through sizable, focused grants, we aim to generate substantial, quantifiable, and enduring change in our focus areas within crucial communities. Our partnerships are often multi-year commitments and are granted through invitation only.

View Our Focus Areas

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Operating in 22 states, it's imperative for us to forge strong partnerships at a national level. These partnerships allow us to extend our reach and make a meaningful difference in the communities throughout our network. Here are a few examples of our National Partnerships:

American Red Cross

Norfolk Southern is proud to be a Disaster Responder partner with the American Red Cross. Through this partnership, Norfolk Southern helps provide access to essential disaster preparedness resources, supporting the Red Cross in preparing for, responding to and helping people recover from disasters big and small. As part of our partnership, Norfolk Southern hosts annual blood drives to support the lifesaving work of the Red Cross and offers Red Cross-certified CPR training to employees, further emphasizing our company’s dedication to health and safety.

American Red Cross

Trust for Public Land

Since 2022, Norfolk Southern has invested nearly $1M in grant funding to Trust for Public Land (TPL), supporting urban and suburban trails, rural revitalization efforts, and preservation of the national trail system. NS previously launched the Norfolk Southern Trail Activation Fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative that supports early-stage trail projects across the U.S. These funds help TPL transform underutilized land into vibrant public trails that foster health, equity, and economic vitality. Beyond funding, our support has:

  • Helped grow TPL’s Trails Initiative, providing expert guidance to over 30 field offices nationwide on strategy, funding, and risk management.
  • Assisted in funding the Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking study, which found that mountain biking tourism generates an average of $416 per trip, providing a measurable boost to rural economies and trail towns.
Trust for Public Land

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Recognizing the critical importance of preventing suicides on railroad tracks, Norfolk Southern began partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in 2022. Norfolk Southern's partnership supports the AFSP’s efforts in community outreach, education, and awareness campaigns related to mental health and suicide prevention. AFSP provides essential resources and training materials, equipping Norfolk Southern with the skills to recognize signs of distress, offer support, and connect individuals to appropriate resources. AFSP also offers guidance on post-incident support, enhancing Norfolk Southern's ability to handle situations with compassion and care.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

ATLANTA PARTNERSHIPS

We are proud to call the city of Atlanta our home. By partnering with local organizations, we aim to both strengthen our ties to the community that supports our business and contribute to its ongoing growth and prosperity. Here are a few examples of our Atlanta Partnerships:

City of Refuge

Norfolk Southern proudly partners with City of Refuge to expand pathways to economic mobility for Atlanta residents. In 2024, Norfolk Southern invested $350,000 to help launch the City of Refuge Welding Center, a state‑of‑the‑art training facility that opened in 2025 and equips participants with hands‑on experience for high‑demand careers in the skilled trades. The Welding Center offers industry‑recognized instruction, access to modern equipment, and personalized coaching that supports long‑term career success. Norfolk Southern’s commitment goes beyond financial investment, with employees volunteering their time and expertise through mentorship and service. Together, Norfolk Southern and City of Refuge are creating opportunities that strengthen families, empower individuals, and build a workforce ready for the future.

City of Refuge ribbon cutting

Junior Achievement

In 2023, Norfolk Southern opened an interactive storefront in JA BizTown inside the Junior Achievement (JA) Chick-fil-A Discovery Center in Atlanta. The storefront provides middle school students the opportunity to learn about the railroads' essential role in delivering goods that power the nation’s economy. At JA BizTown students operate simulated storefronts across various industries to help gain real-world context for what they learn in the classroom. Students involved in the Norfolk Southern storefront also learn about the company and its role in delivering the goods that power the American and global economy. The storefront features a miniature version of Norfolk Southern's Network Operations Center to help students understand the role technology has in the rail industry. Norfolk Southern’s funding provides ongoing program support providing students with real-world context across various industries.

Junior Acheivement

Atlanta Fire Rescue

Norfolk Southern has invested more than $1.2 million in the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) since 2023, strengthening support for the City of Atlanta’s firefighters and first responders. As the first corporate sponsor of the Fleet Forward campaign, Norfolk Southern helped purchase Atlanta’s first electric fire engine and EV quick‑response vehicles. Beyond financial investment, employees volunteer their time and expertise to advance AFRF’s mission, underscoring Norfolk Southern’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who serve and protect the community.

Atlanta Fire Rescue

Georgia Tech

In 2022, Norfolk Southern committed $750,000 to Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) to create a new program for entrepreneurs working on sustainability-focused technology. The funding supports one-on-one coaching, tailored curriculum, and other resources specific to the entrepreneurs' needs as they go from ideation to implementation. This three-year partnership is uniquely focused on the ATDC’s Sustainability Vertical, with the mission of accelerating the growth of startups focused on sustainable technology. By leveraging staff and resources at ATDC with Norfolk Southern's technology and experts, the partnership aims to build a pipeline of innovators across Georgia who are bringing innovative technologies to the marketplace.

Georgia Tech

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Norfolk Southern’s partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities where we work and live. Since 2023, Norfolk Southern contributed more than $720,000 through a combination of direct investments, capital campaign funding, and employee contribution matches to support the Food Bank’s increased need for food assistance for Georgians. Additionally, Norfolk Southern employees have contributed over 670 volunteer hours since June 2023 to provide hands-on support to the Atlanta Community Food Bank's operations.

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Please note that the examples provided above are subject to change and may not encompass all partnerships.