Norfolk Southern Hampton Roads Community Fund Grant Program

The Norfolk Southern Hampton Roads Community Fund Grant Program 2025 represents a continuing commitment from Norfolk Southern to support nonprofit organizations in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Even after relocating its headquarters to Atlanta, the company has maintained its dedication to this community through a partnership with the Hampton Roads Community Foundation (HRCF). Now entering the fourth year of a five-year, $1 million annual grant cycle, the program aims to enhance the quality of life in the region by funding local nonprofit initiatives that align with its core areas of impact. The grant program focuses on three primary areas: Education and Workforce Development, Community Enrichment, and Sustainability. Under Education and Workforce Development, the program seeks to support efforts to prevent middle and high school dropout, guide youth through the transition to college or vocational training, and create employment pathways for adults facing barriers to self-sufficiency. Community Enrichment priorities include addressing food insecurity, improving mental health access, preventing homelessness, promoting arts and culture, and enhancing public health and safety. The Sustainability focus encourages projects aimed at restoring natural resources and increasing the region's resilience to sea-level rise. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents in South Hampton Roads, including Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Applicants must be in good standing with the IRS and have been operational since at least January 1, 2023. Organizations must have a board with at least four members (excluding the executive director or CEO) and be able to submit a completed fiscal year financial statement and an operating budget. Preference is given to those who can provide audited financials or recent IRS Form 990 filings. Prior recipients and current HRCF grantees may also apply without affecting eligibility for other HRCF funding programs. Grant awards typically support general operations, although some grants may be designated for specific purposes as outlined in award letters. Organizations do not request a specific funding amount in the application. Instead, awards are based on the applicant’s budget size and the number of submissions received. Grants are generally awarded in the following ranges: $5,000 to $25,000 for organizations with budgets under $1 million, $10,000 to $50,000 for those with budgets between $1 million and $5 million, and $15,000 to $100,000 for organizations with budgets exceeding $5 million. The Community Foundation retains the right to make larger or smaller awards if necessary. The application must be submitted electronically via the Hampton Roads Community Foundation's online portal. To apply, users must access the portal, select the "Apply" button at the top of the screen, and choose the Norfolk Southern Grants Program 2025. The final deadline to submit applications is July 25, 2025. Although not mandatory, prospective applicants are encouraged to attend an optional grant information session held on June 24 at 12:30 p.m., for which registration is required. For technical support with the application portal, applicants may contact Saraya Perry at sperry@hamptonroadscf.org. For general guidance or specific questions about the grant opportunity, applicants should reach out to Leigh Davis at ldavis@hamptonroadscf.org. Organizations are advised to thoroughly review eligibility requirements and ensure timely submission to be considered for this year’s funding round.