Community Disaster Relief Grant Program

The Norfolk Southern Community Disaster Relief Grant Program is a private grant program offered through Norfolk Southern Community Impact. Norfolk Southern launched open-application grant programs to support organizations that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local workforce, and build strong, resilient communities in the 22 states where Norfolk Southern operates. This specific program supports recovery efforts after severe weather events that affect communities within Norfolk Southern's network. The purpose of the Community Disaster Relief Grant Program is to support recovery-related projects following severe weather events. The current application opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations working to support recovery from the recent Georgia wildfires. The program is not intended for broad organizational support; grants are awarded for specific disaster recovery projects rather than for general operating support. Funding amounts are not fixed in the source material. Norfolk Southern states that grant amounts are determined based on the severity of the event and the community's recovery needs. The source does not state an award floor, award ceiling, total program funding amount, number of awards, cost share requirement, matching requirement, indirect cost policy, or performance period. Because the program is disaster-responsive, the funding scope depends on the nature of the severe weather event and documented recovery needs. Eligible applicants must qualify as tax-exempt public 501(c)(3) organizations listed in the IRS Master File, be located within 30 minutes of the Norfolk Southern network, and have been impacted by a recent storm. Organizations closest to the Norfolk Southern network receive priority during review. Applications will not be accepted from organizations outside Norfolk Southern territory, organizations requesting salaries, overhead, rent, utilities, or other general operating support, organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status, organizations with discriminatory policies or histories, individuals, organizations established to help individuals, certain religious affiliated organizations, fraternal organizations, political or lobbying organizations, fundraising events, sports organizations, organizations with international or national scope, civic leagues, chambers of commerce, referral agencies, or consulting agencies. Required application materials include a valid Federal W9 Form using the March 2024 revision, a valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, and a valid contact email address and phone number for questions about the grant. If applying as a 501(c)(3), applicants must also provide a short overview of the organization, a board of directors listing, latest IRS 990 filings, a budget for the program or proposed project, and a full-year operating budget. The application is submitted through the Norfolk Southern Grant Programs page by selecting Apply Now for the relevant grant type and completing the eligibility quiz, which directs eligible applicants to the application. Successful grant applications must align with one or more of Norfolk Southern's focus areas, demonstrate commitment to inclusion and community engagement, operate within Norfolk Southern's 22-state network, be located within 30 minutes of the Norfolk Southern main line, qualify as an eligible tax-exempt nonprofit, and include all required tax documentation. The Federal W9 form must be completed correctly and in full. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, and applicants are advised not to submit extra information unless it is pertinent to the request. Applications for the current Community Disaster Relief opportunity are open and will be accepted through May 31, 2026. Norfolk Southern states that Community Disaster Relief applications are available periodically at the discretion of the Community Impact team after severe weather events affecting communities within the network. The application period typically remains open for three to six weeks, although the length may vary depending on ongoing recovery efforts and the nature of the disaster. No named program contact, email address, or phone number for grant questions is provided in the source material, although technical assistance information is provided for account access and multi-factor authentication.

Apply early to allow time for account creation and gathering documents; ensure alignment with Norfolk Southern focus areas; include all required tax documentation; complete the Federal W9 correctly and fully; submit a complete application because incomplete applications will not be reviewed; do not submit extra information unless pertinent to the request