Story Yard
Norfolk Southern donates $1M to 65 Hampton Roads Nonprofits

Organizations span across the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and support educational, environmental, social equity, and community advancement initiatives


Access College Foundation, a recipient of Norfolk Southern’s grant funding, hosting its annual ”College Commitment Day.” The organization seeks to help students make informed decisions about postsecondary education and to provide academic, financial, and personal support to students who are pursuing a certification or degree in trade school or in college.

Norfolk Southern is proud to donate $1 million in grant funding to 65 Hampton Roads nonprofits, reaffirming our commitment to contribute $5 million over 5 years to the Hampton Roads community. These organizations tackle vital issues such as homelessness, housing instability, workforce development, mental health, environmental restoration, and more.

Since launching this initiative in 2021, Norfolk Southern has contributed $3 million to Hampton Roads nonprofits, helping to build a brighter future through education, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability.

“We are honored to support these incredible organizations that are making a real impact in Hampton Roads, a region that has helped shape Norfolk Southern and is home to much of our workforce,” said Kristin Wong, Director NS Foundation and Community Impact. “Alongside the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities.”

Recipients were selected by a committee of Norfolk Southern railroaders who live and work in the Hampton Roads area, in partnership with the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

“Norfolk Southern’s generosity is helping nonprofits tackle critical challenges to shape a brighter future for Hampton Roads,” said Deborah M. DiCroce, president and CEO of the community foundation. “We are so grateful for their continued support and proud to help invest in the prosperity of this great region.”

Organizations that will receive grants include:

  • Access College Foundation
  • American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia
  • An Achievable Dream
  • Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads
  • Black Girls Tennis Club
  • Boys & Girls Clubs Southeast Virginia
  • Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Inc.
  • Chrysler Museum of Art
  • Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads
  • Community Outreach Coalition
  • Cover 3 Football INC DBA Cover 3 Foundation
  • Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
  • Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia
  • ForKids, inc.
  • Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast
  • Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads
  • Hampton Roads Workforce Foundation
  • Hope House Foundation, Inc.
  • Horizons Hampton Roads, Inc.
  • Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, Inc.
  • LGBT Life Center
  • Louise W. Eggleston Center, Inc.
  • Lynnhaven River Now
  • Mercy Chefs Inc
  • Neighborhood
  • New Vision Youth Services, Inc.
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden, Inc.
  • Nursing CAP, Inc.
  • Oasis Commission on Social Ministry of Portsmouth/Chesapeake
  • PIN Ministry
  • Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless, Inc.
  • Quality of Life Inc.
  • REACH, Inc. (Reading Enriches All Children)
  • Samaritan House, Inc.
  • Seton Youth Shelters
  • Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program t/a Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
  • St. Mary's Home
  • Suffolk Meals on Wheels inc
  • Survivor Ventures
  • The Legacy of HOPE Foundation
  • The Norfolk Street Choir Project
  • The Union Mission
  • The Up Center
  • Tidewater Youth Services Foundation
  • Trails of Purpose
  • United Way of South Hampton Roads
  • VB Home Now
  • ViBe District Virginia Beach
  • Village Family
  • Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation
  • Virginia Arts Festival
  • Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation
  • Virginia Children's Chorus
  • Virginia Opera Association, Inc.
  • Virginia Stage Company
  • Virginia Symphony Orchestra
  • Virginia Zoological Society
  • Walk In It Inc.
  • Wesley Community Service Center, Inc.
  • Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Inc.
  • YESUSA Transformational Cities
  • YMCA of South Hampton Roads
  • Young Investors Group
  • Youth Outreach Urban Resources and Services Ministry (YOURS)
  • YWCA South Hampton Roads

Learn more about Norfolk Southern’s community impact initiatives here.