A: Applications open February 2, 2026 and will be accepted through August 3, 2026 for the 2026 program year. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on August 3, 2026, to be accepted. Applications should be started by at least July 5; in case you run into technical difficulties. Any delay in submitting the application should be addressed prior to the deadline date. Please note, there is an average turnaround time of 10-14 business days to create a Bonterra Nonprofit Hub login. Late applications will not be accepted, with no grant deadline extensions.
COMMUNITY IMPACT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This FAQ page provides answers to the most common questions about Norfolk Southern’s Community Impact programs, including grant eligibility, requirements, and application processes. Additional FAQs for all Community Impact programs are available in our Community Impact FAQs PDF.
Due to the volume of requests, Norfolk Southern is unable to provide individual calls or meetings to discuss applications, check statuses, or share feedback.
A: Eligibility is dependent on the grant type. For the Safety First grant, organizations must align with Norfolk Southern’s safety focus area and qualify as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization as either a public 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as listed in the IRS Master File or a state, county or municipal government entity and seeks funding to serve the needs of the community at large. For the Thriving Communities grant, organizations must align with one of Norfolk Southern’s focus areas and qualify as a tax-exempt public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as listed in the IRS Master File.
A: Grant request amounts should align with the specific project needs of the organization. Generally, the Thriving Communities grant ranges from $1,000 to $50,0000 and the Safety First grant ranges from $1,000 to $15,000. Typical grant sizes range from $2,500 to $10,000.
A: Organizations may receive only one grant per fiscal year and should apply for just one grant. If an application is rejected and the organization has another project that meets criteria for a different grant, it may apply for the other grant as long as the rejection occurs before the application deadline. For government entities, each department is treated as its own eligible applicant, even if they are from the same city. For example, a police department and fire department may each apply separately for a Safety First grant, and their applications will be considered independently.
A: Organizations may log into their account at any time to view their application status. Most applications will not be reviewed until after the August 3, 2026 deadline, and decisions are generally communicated within six to eight weeks after that date, though some organizations may receive notification earlier. We ask that you refrain from contacting us during the processing period unless you have additional information you feel is pertinent to your request or haven’t heard back by October 1, 2026.
A: Payments for approved funding can be expected to be sent out within four to six weeks from approval. Although ACH may have been indicated as your preferred payment method, payments will be issued by check at this time. If you have special circumstances, please contact NSCommunityImpact@nscorp.com and include a brief explanation of your situation so we can explore possible alternatives.
A: Yes. Organizations must be located within Norfolk Southern’s 22‑state network, and generally within 30 miles of the rail lines for consideration; those closest to the lines may receive priority. 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.
A: Organizations may use either the Bonterra Nonprofit Hub or the Company Portal (email) login, depending on their tax status. Nonprofits may use either option, while government entities must use the Company Portal login when applying for the Safety First Grant. Creating a Bonterra Nonprofit Hub account typically takes 10–14 business days. For login or account‑creation issues, organizations should click “Need Support?” on the login page. For help setting up a Bonterra Nonprofit Hub account, visit the Bonterra Nonprofit Hub Help Center. Always log in using the same account type used to create the application.
A: Grants should not be submitted for general operating support, such as salaries and overhead, because funding is intended to support specific projects and programs rather than overall organizational operations. However, salary costs may be eligible if they are directly tied to how the program functions and are essential to achieving program goals. For example, funding may be considered eligible when staff are actively participating in structured training, education, or service‑learning activities central to the program’s objectives.
A: Within 14 days of approval, organizations receive an email from CyberGrants if an impact report or tax acknowledgement letter has been assigned, each with a 90–180‑day due date. Both reports can be accessed by logging into the account used for the application and selecting items listed under “Require Reporting.” Impact reports ask how funding was used and function like the application, with electronic questions and file‑upload sections. Tax acknowledgement letters include a provided template and must be completed with a wet signature and uploaded in CyberGrants (not mailed or emailed). Organizations that do not complete required reports may not be eligible for future grants.
