Search Through Norfolk Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

Discretionary Grant

We empower Hampton Roads to be a healthy environment where shelter, wholesome nourishment, educational options, and economic opportunities enable our community to thrive.

We look forward to learning more about your organization and the work that you do to support the Hampton Roads community.

Our Grant Making

The grantmaking objectives of The Blocker Foundation are intended to assure that our limited resources are allocated to help create the most impact in the communities that we serve. We support organizations and activities that empower people and community systems in a way that tackles the root causes of the problems our communities face and build upon the strengths within these same regions. We strive to expand access to opportunities for people from low-income and otherwise disadvantaged communities, including a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We seek to foster partnership amongst like-minded organizations, encouraging communication and collaboration to build programs and services that are sustainable.

• Our Focus Areas -
  • wholesome nourishment
  • safe shelter
  • educational opportunity
  • economic opportunity
  • a healthy environment

Funding

Requests are limited to $25,000 and should address a current and immediate need within the communities that encompass the Foundation’s service area.

Planning Grant

Planning Grants from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation are available for coalitions of nonprofit organizations and other appropriate agencies.

These grants provide funding to explore and plan for the launch of a collaborative project to solve an identified community issue. Grant funding of up to $25,000 is available for one year for activities over and above the organizations’ daily operational activities. Activities may include staff oversight, staff planning time, site visits to review models and best practices, and facilitators.

Participation in a planning grant does not guarantee implementation funding. Grant applications will be evaluated on both the strength of the request and the potential of the proposed project to solve a need in the community/region when fully implemented.

Planning Grant Letters of Intent can be submitted at any time and are for targeted areas identified by the community foundation.

The two 2025 Planning Grant Areas of focus will be:

• Collaborative organizational restructuring and mergers
• Issues related to serving those with mental/behavioral health issues.

Norfolk Southern In-Kind Donation Grant

The In-Kind Donation Grant Program is designed to support organizations interested in obtaining Norfolk Southern materials for projects that align with our focus areas. This grant is for physical donations only, no monetary grants will be disbursed through this program. All grant recipients must be located within the Norfolk Southern territory. 

The In-Kind Donation grant program does not have a deadline to apply and is open year-round.

Focus areas

Safety

At Norfolk Southern, everything starts with safety. We are committed to supporting the first responders and organizations that work tirelessly to prevent and prepare for emergencies and ensure that community members get home safely each day.

Sustainability

As the most sustainable way to ship freight, Norfolk Southern understands the importance of protecting our planet. We partner with local communities to improve environmental conditions, revitalize industrial areas, and preserve precious eco systems in the communities we serve.

Workforce Development

We are dedicated to increasing inclusive opportunity in our communities through partnerships that enable equal access to meaningful careers and drive economic opportunity.

Thriving Communities

We endeavor to help the communities we serve thrive. We partner with nonprofits that drive economic development, support vibrant community life, and provide equal access to basic necessities – building a strong and resilient foundation for long-term prosperity.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Engineering - New Program

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2026-2027 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2027-2028 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Engineering - Program Expansion

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Engineering program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Engineering course not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Engineering courses previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Engineering courses for the 2026-2027 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting. 

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Gateway - New Program

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit in the 2026-2027 academic year and must offer one additional unit in the 2027-2028 academic year (two different units in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Gateway units of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Gateway - Program Expansion

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Gateway program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Gateway unit not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Gateway unit previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in a PLTW Gateway unit for the 2026-2027 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 12,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.

PLTW Launch - Program Expansion

Getting students excited about STEM is essential to building a brighter future for all of us. Showing students how STEM topics fit into the real world and real careers can give them the tools to embrace this vital message. Burns & McDonnell and its Foundation have partnered with PLTW to increase access and participation to PLTW programs for students located in Burns & McDonnell communities. PLTW programs empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges.

Through this partnership, Burns and McDonnell is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Program Requirements

Grantees must use these grant funds to expand their program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Launch module not previously offered, and/or offering existing PLTW Launch modules to more students, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher Training or PLTW Launch Lead Teacher Training for the 2026-2027 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting. 

About Us

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

Environmental Stewardship - Seed & Program Funding

Why it matters

Environmental stewardship requires the practice of conservation and sustainable activities that protect the natural environment for future generations.

We believe it is vital that Hampton Roads youth are knowledgeable of our waterways’ health and the implications of sea level rise and, accordingly, adopt positive behaviors in caring for the natural environment. After many years of good progress to improve them, many Hampton Roads waterways fall below the desired ratings for healthy waterways. Our region also ranks in the top 10 worldwide for sea level rise vulnerability. We believe that preparing the region’s youth to be good environmental stewards is critical to improving our region’s natural environment now and in the future.

Environmental Stewardship Community Grants focus on programs that educate youth, grades 3-12, about Hampton Roads waterways’ health and the impact of sea level rise in our region. 

Programs should be sustained efforts that:

• Provide hands-on outdoor experiences,
• Include education on environmental issues related to our water-based region, and
• Offer the opportunity for youth to develop and implement an action plan around watershed preservation and restoration.

Desired Outcomes: Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes:

• Hampton Roads youth increase their knowledge of our waterways’ health and exhibit positive behaviors that improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
• Hampton Roads youth increase their knowledge of sea level rise and its potential impact on the region.

Proposals for program funding must be able to articulate:

• Program’s fit with our stated priorities
• Program’s desired outcomes
• Organization’s plan for measuring program effectiveness in reaching outcomes

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

The Foundation supports major capital projects and campaigns that are transformative for the organization and the communities it serves. Organizations requesting Vibrant Places facilities grants should support one of these areas:

• Health & Wellness
• Environmental Stewardship
• Educational Success
• Cultural Vitality
• Economic Stability

We see projects that will reduce local nonprofits' building operating costs over the long term and minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with construction and operation. We encourage "green" building practices that can cut heating and cooling costs, save water and reduce pollution.

Ellis W. Rowe Memorial Scholarship

Our generous donors love helping students achieve their full potential.  That’s why they entrust us to administer permanent scholarship funds in their names using criteria they have selected. Since 1950 we have awarded more than $20 million in college scholarships making us southeastern Virginia’s largest scholarship provider.

Our scholarships for graduate study are provided by generous donors with an interest in education and helping people have a positive future. We select scholarship recipients based on financial need and the specific criteria established by donors, such as field of study or college attended.

Award amounts are based on a variety of factors: how much money is available, how many winners are selected, and an individual's financial need. A typical scholarship ranges between $400-$6,000.

Blocker Foundation Grant

We empower Hampton Roads to be a healthy environment where shelter, wholesome nourishment, educational options, and economic opportunities enable our community to thrive.

We look forward to learning more about your organization and the work that you do to support the Hampton Roads community.

Our Grant Making

The grantmaking objectives of The Blocker Foundation are intended to assure that our limited resources are allocated to help create the most impact in the communities that we serve. We support organizations and activities that empower people and community systems in a way that tackles the root causes of the problems our communities face and build upon the strengths within these same regions. We strive to expand access to opportunities for people from low-income and otherwise disadvantaged communities, including a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We seek to foster partnership amongst like-minded organizations, encouraging communication and collaboration to build programs and services that are sustainable.

• Our Focus Areas -
  • wholesome nourishment
  • safe shelter
  • educational opportunity
  • economic opportunity
  • a healthy environment

Funding

We do not provide a limit as to the amount of funding that you request though we highly encourage you to understand the funding capacity and service area of our Foundation.

Why It matters:

We believe the educational, social and emotional well-being of youth can be positively influenced through arts and culture programs.

Studies show that high-quality arts programs support youth development in engagement, productivity and navigational skills which, in turn, lead to life-long qualities of resilience, self-worth, individual contentment and community engagement.

Community Grants for Cultural Vitality

Community Grants for Cultural Vitality support programs offering hands-on arts and cultural experiences for area children. Our goal is to help the educational, social or emotional well-being of youth through arts and culture.

Programs should be available to all area youth regardless of ability to pay. They should strive to increase participation of youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Grant applicants should offer meaningful arts and cultural experiences that engage area youth in hands-on activities such as:

• Gaining skills in visual, musical or creative expression through the written word or performing arts
• Participation in visual or performing arts

Grant proposals for program funding should address one or more of these outcomes:

• Children and youth demonstrate improved academic performance.
• Children and youth decrease occurrence of absenteeism.
• Children and youth display increased self-worth.
• Children and youth decrease engagement in risky and problem behaviors.

Why it matters:

We believe that preparing our children and youth for the future is paramount to our mission.

Educational success of a region’s people is a core element of a thriving and resilient region. An educated citizenry is fundamental to strong economic development and personal prosperity. Reaching developmental academic and socio-emotional milestones is critical to a child’s early success. Lack of kindergarten readiness crosses all socio-economic levels; however, children living in poverty often have multiple barriers that inhibit their educational success. Students who graduate from high school on time and successfully transition to college and complete a degree or career-based certification have a great likelihood of living healthier and more financially stable lives.

Community Grants for Educational Success strive to improve educational achievement of under-performing children and youth from our region. They encourage growth through opportunities for all students to excel in their educational pursuits and meet the region's current and future workforce demands.

We support innovative programs that improve academic achievement of our region’s public school students in the following areas:

• Projects that prepare children, academically and/or socio-emotionally, to succeed in kindergarten.
• Programs that prevent middle and high school students from dropping out of school.
• After-school time projects that have been proven successful at increasing the likelihood of students earning advanced or standard diplomas within four years of entering high school.
• Programs that help students successfully transition from high school into collegiate education or career-based certificate programs after graduation.

Desired Outcomes:

Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes:

• Young children meet age-appropriate developmental milestones
• Children succeed in kindergarten and are promoted to first grade
• The number of quality-rated center-based or home-based pre-school facilities increases
• Public school students succeed academically and are promoted to the next grade on time
• The drop-out rate for public school students decreases
• Public school students graduate from high school on-time
• Public high school graduates enroll in collegiate education or career-based certificates after graduation

About Us

Visionaries for Change, a giving circle of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, was established in 2019 by Black business and civic leaders in Hampton Roads. Visionaries donate money to a pooled fund, and together fund grants that improve life in Black communities experiencing economic distress in Hampton Roads. Members want to invest in organizations that build a healthy community, increasing everyone’s opportunity for success.

Focus Area

In 2025, Visionaries for Changewill fund Black-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Black-serving nonprofits are those with the majority (51% or more) of their clients being Black.

Grant applications should explain how the program for which funding is sought addresses one or more of the following priority impact areas:

• Strengthen businesses and current entrepreneurs by providing mentorship activities, technical assistance and access to capital.
• Create wealth and build long-term financial assets by providing financial literacy and education and employment opportunities for adults.

Grant Range

Visionaries for Change anticipates awarding grants that average $5,000. Visionaries may award grants that are smaller and larger than $5,000.

About Us

The Community Leadership Partners, a giving circle of Hampton Roads Community Foundation, is a group of South Hampton Roads civic leaders who use their resources to improve our region. The members of the Community Leadership Partners seek to increase their understanding about the needs of our region, and share a desire to learn about philanthropic opportunities that support nonprofits’ needs and help strengthen our community.

Focus Area

In 2025, the Community Leadership Partners will fund 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities with impactful and practical programs that support non-clinical mental health services. 

Grant applications should explain how the program for which funding is sought addresses the priority impact area of mental health services. Programs should facilitate early intervention, rapid response, and expedited access to mental health services. Programs may also encourage peer support, socialization opportunities, and family and community support.

Examples of Eligible Programs

• Suicide prevention and other harm reduction strategies
• Early intervention services for persons affected by mental health disorders
• Community health initiatives and resources designed to increase awareness, early recognition, and active intervention for mental health issues, or destigmatize access to mental health services
• Peer support led by a trained and certified coach or specialist 

Community Grants

Since 1950, charitable people have created discretionary and field-of-interest endowments at the community foundation. Their generosity gives us the flexibility to fund a variety of causes in southeastern Virginia. We channel this funding through our competitive Community Grants.

Economic Stability

Why it matters

We believe our region will thrive when its residents who experience barriers to success have the opportunities and supports they need to lead self-determined lives. Economic stability helps to create the conditions for children to learn and grow, strengthens an individual’s resolve to pursue hopes and dreams, and reduces the anxiety and stressors that accompany economic insecurity.

Economic Stability Community Grants focus on providing opportunities for people with barriers to success to become stable, self-sufficient, and prosperous. Programs that we support address:

• Ending homelessness in our region with a preference for programs that provide safe and affordable housing for individuals and/or families and provide supportive services to ensure housing stability.
• Workforce readiness training/certification acquisition and connection of low income individuals to employment. Preference is given for programs that offer supports to help the individual remain employed for at least one year.
• Development of sound financial education and savings programs to help low income individuals build financial assets for long-term economic well-being.

Desired Outcomes

Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes:

• Individuals and families who are homeless are permanently located in safe/affordable housing and remain in housing for at least one year.
• Adults who are economically disadvantaged develop skills for jobs available in Hampton Roads and are employed for at least one year.
• Individuals who are underemployed obtain a higher-wage position post-training and remain employed for at least one year.
• Individuals who are economically disadvantaged improve their knowledge of financial literacy and participate in banking services to include increasing funds in a savings account.

Proposals for program funding must be able to articulate:

• Program’s fit with our stated priorities
• Program’s desired outcomes
• Organization’s plan for measuring program effectiveness in reaching outcomes

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

Through the generosity of its unrestricted and field-of-interest donors, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation provides competitive Community Grants for Seed & Program Funding to help nonprofits do their best work.

Community Grants for Health & Wellness focus on improving the health of the region's citizens. Efforts supported include:

• Programs that support participant access to primary, dental, and/or mental/behavioral health. Behavioral health includes substance/drug abuse treatment.
• Sustained programs that encourage healthy behaviors that are known to reduce chronic diseases (e.g. Type II diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease) in populations that typically have a high rate of health disparity. 

Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes:

• Individuals with health disparities connect with a medical home and receive care/treatment that leads to an improved health status.
• Individuals who access oral care programs complete a dental treatment plan.
• Behavioral health needs or conditions of clients are improved.
• Participants increase their knowledge of chronic disease conditions and exhibit healthy behaviors that lead to improved health.

Norfolk Southern Grant

Norfolk Southern has been a long-standing supporter of the Hampton Roads nonprofit community. While it has transitioned its corporate headquarters to Atlanta, the company is committed to the Hampton Roads community and engaging with nonprofit organizations in the region. Norfolk Southern and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation will be distributing $1 million each year over five years through the Norfolk Southern Hampton Roads Community Fund to nonprofits working to make life better in the region. We are pleased to announce the guidelines for the fourth year of the program.

Grantmaking Priorities

Grant applications should explain how your organization addresses one or more of the following priority impact areas:

• Education and Workforce Development:
  • Preventing middle- and high-school students from dropping out of school
  • Engaging youth in successfully transitioning from high school into collegiate education or career-based certificate programs
  • Creating pathways to employment for adults with barriers to self-sufficiency
• Enriching the Community:
  • Providing support for organizations addressing food insecurity
  • Improving access to mental-health support
  • Preventing and ending homelessness and housing instability
  • Enriching the human experience through arts and culture
  • Improving public health and safety
• Sustainability:
  • Restoring and protecting the region’s land, forests, and natural waterways
  • Improving the region’s ability to adapt to the impacts of sea-level rise

Funding

In most cases, grants will be awarded for general support of your organization and can be used as the organization sees fit.

Applicants will not be asked on the application to request a specific grant amount. Award amounts will vary based on the applicant’s budget size and the number of grant requests received. To provide guidance for applicants, grant awards are anticipated to be in the following ranges:

• Organization Budget Size:  Under $1,000,000 then this is the Grant Award Range: $5,000 - $25,000
• Organization Budget Size:  $1,000,000 - $5,000,000 then this is the Grant Award Range: $10,000 - $50,000
• Organization Budget Size:  Over $5,000,000 then this is the Grant Award Range: $15,000 - $100,000

The Community Foundation reserves the right to award larger or smaller grants if warranted.

Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving

Great Things Happen When We Pull Together

As a major driver of business and economic growth in towns and cities across the eastern United States, Norfolk Southern takes seriously the role we play in helping communities thrive.

We know our impact is greatest when we are authentic to the values and priorities of our company. That’s why we are focused on building relationships and making investments that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local workforce, and build strong, thriving communities.

As we pursue these efforts, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is inextricably woven into all aspects of our business, is reflected in the types of programs and organizations we prioritize and support.

And because inclusion starts with our people, we empower every NS employee to engage with their own local community in ways that are meaningful to them.

Last year, Norfolk Southern contributed nearly $9.5 million dollars to charitable organizations across our network.

Our Focus Areas

• Safety
• Sustainability
• Workforce Development
• Thriving Communities

Thriving Communities Grant Program

The Thriving Communities Grant Program is designed to promote sustainability initiatives, workforce development programs, and community resiliency efforts across Norfolk Southern’s 22-state network. It is also designed to promote economic development, support vibrant community life, and provide equal access to basic necessities.

Grants are awarded for specific projects and programs only, not for general operating support.

The Thriving Communities Grant typically ranges from $1,000 to $50,000.

Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving

Great Things Happen When We Pull Together

As a major driver of business and economic growth in towns and cities across the eastern United States, Norfolk Southern takes seriously the role we play in helping communities thrive.

We know our impact is greatest when we are authentic to the values and priorities of our company. That’s why we are focused on building relationships and making investments that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local workforce, and build strong, thriving communities.

As we pursue these efforts, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is inextricably woven into all aspects of our business, is reflected in the types of programs and organizations we prioritize and support.

And because inclusion starts with our people, we empower every NS employee to engage with their own local community in ways that are meaningful to them.

Last year, Norfolk Southern contributed nearly $9.5 million dollars to charitable organizations across our network.

Safety First Grant Program

The Safety-First Grant Program is 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.

Norfolk Southern values its relationship with first responders and established the Safety- First program, in part, to recognize and support such groups.

The Safety First Grant is awarded for specific project, programmatic support, or general operating support.

The Safety First Grant typically ranges from $1,000 to $15,000.

Our Focus Areas

• Safety
• Sustainability
• Workforce Development
• Thriving Communities

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

 Barbara Upton Wilson Fund 

The Barbara Upton Wilson Fund for humane treatment of animals supports nonprofit organizations that provide care and treatment of animals. 

Hampton Roads Community Foundation

Hampton Roads Community Foundation has a proud history. We began in 1950 as The Norfolk Foundation with total donations of $2,350. Despite the city-focused name, we were always regional -- giving scholarships and grants across southeastern Virginia to ambitious students and essential nonprofits. Over the past 69 years we have put more than $344 million into action through grants and scholarships -- more than $20 million in 2021 alone.

Two years after our founding, Florence Smith's estate established in 1952 a remarkable scholarships for Virginia medical students that is going strong today. And, in 1959 we awarded our first big grant of $100,000 to help build a library. In 1987 The Virginia Beach Foundation formed, and in 2010 it merged with The Norfolk Foundation to create the Hampton Roads Community Foundation -- our region's largest grant and scholarship provider.

Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund 

The Harry F. Wall Memorial Fund helps high schools on the Virginia Peninsula. The Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund supports arts and humanities activities on the Virginia Peninsula. Grants range from $1,000 to $1,200 for arts and $5,000 to $10,000 for high schools.

E. K. Sloane Fund 

The E. K. Sloane Fund provides grants to help nonprofit organizations purchase or repair pianos – primarily those for public performance. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations in Hampton Roads. Grants are also available for schools in Hampton Roads, both public and independent. Religious organizations must use pianos for public performances. 

About the Fund

Since 1997 the E.K. Sloane Fund has provided more than $4.3 million to purchase or restore more than 150 pianos for more than 80 organizations. Several nonprofits have received more than one Sloane piano over the years.

Grants come from a bequest from the late E.K. Sloane, who grew up in Norfolk. He was an engineer who loved piano music but did not play the instrument himself. He anonymously bought pianos for nonprofit organizations during his lifetime. When he died in 1997 at age 90, he entrusted the Hampton Roads Community Foundation to continue his passion.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

The Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund supports organizations that promote horticulture education.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia.

The Benjamin R. Brown and Charles G. Brown funds support organizations conducting mental health research to help people lead better lives.

Special Interest grant applicants are expected to provide financial statements in the form of either recent independently audited financials or a full 990 or 990EZ recently filed with the IRS.

Veterans

The Emil J. Gasser, Jr. Fund and The Colenda Fund support nonprofit organizations that provides support to Veterans. Preference may be given to programs that assist Veterans with disabilities. Awards will be up to $5,000.