A Look at Norfolk Southern’s Charitable Giving in the Mid-Atlantic

Norfolk Southern, a major transportation company in the United States, operates in 22 states and D.C. and moves everything from construction materials to chemicals and agricultural products. In addition to having the most extensive intermodal transportation network in the eastern states, the company also has a charitable giving program that has always made Virginia a priority.

Here’s what organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region should know about the Norfolk Southern Foundation (NSF) and how to get involved as a potential grantee.

Broad interests

NSF has broad philanthropic interests and is open to considering a wide variety of nonprofit efforts in the communities it serves. It awards grants in the categories of education, arts and culture, the environment and human services. Specific interests include early childhood education, childhood literacy, environmental sustainability, food banks, free clinics, homeless shelters and the promotion of arts and culture in Norfolk and Atlanta.

Ultimately, the foundation’s goal is to improve the quality of life of the company’s employees and make the communities it serves more livable. Annual contributions have exceeded $12 million in recent years.

A local focus and an extended network

The foundation has been operating since 1983 and is one of the most well-established corporate givers in the region. Norfolk Southern was originally based in Norfolk, Virginia, and a large employee population lives in the area. Many of the foundation’s grants focus on the Norfolk community.

However, considering the company’s 22-state network, the Norfolk Southern Foundation also pays attention to other places where its employees live and work. Norfolk Southern recently moved its corporate headquarters to Atlanta and has been getting more actively involved there. It is not yet clear how much of NSF’s grantmaking focus will shift from Virginia to Georgia in the years ahead.

The company also has a presence in every major eastern seaport between New York City and Jacksonville, Florida; the Gulf ports of Mobile, Alabama, New Orleans and St. Bernhard, Louisiana; the Great Lakes ports and river ports in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Beyond traditional grantmaking

In addition to awarding grants through a standard application process, NSF also boasts a robust matching grants program to encourage employee donations. Starting in 2021, it stopped matching retiree gifts. But for active employees, NSF matches up to $10,000 per year.

NSF also provides corporate sponsorships for selected events in its territory. It has only a limited interest in naming and exposure opportunities and often chooses to fund events through its general grant program rather than via corporate sponsorships. Nonprofits are welcome to contact NSF to discuss a potential request before submitting a proposal, then send requests by email at any time.

IP profiles the Norfolk Southern Foundation and many other local funders that give to Virginia nonprofits in our Mid-Atlantic States funding guide.