(Norfolk Southern issued the following on November 7.)
NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk Southern Foundation – the charitable giving affiliate of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) — awarded grants worth more than $1.5 million to nonprofit charitable organizations in the third quarter of 2007.
The grants included $448,128 in employee matching gifts in support of 207 organizations. Grants other than matching gifts went to 83 organizations in Norfolk Southern’s operating territory.
In addition to matching gifts, the Foundation contributed to various United Way campaigns and other health and human services nonprofits ($396,400), educational institutions ($305,390), cultural and arts groups ($267,100), and civic and community groups, including environmental organizations ($86,750). Of the $1.5 million, $393,000 (excluding matching gifts) went to charitable organizations in Norfolk Southern’s three primary locations – Norfolk and Roanoke, Va., and Atlanta. Among the largest recipients were National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Chrysler Museum of Art, Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation, Mill Mountain Theatre (Roanoke), United Way of Blair County (Altoona, Pa.) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
As part of its educational funding, the Foundation awarded a total of $93,000 in grants to 11 universities under the Norfolk Southern College Partnership Program. This program, established in 2006, builds relationships to enhance the railroad’s recruiting opportunities, particularly for business and engineering graduates. More than $260,000 will be granted in 2007 under this program.
The $1.5 million in third-quarter 2007 giving represents approximately 30 percent of the Foundation’s 2007 budget of $5 million. Through the first nine months of 2007, Norfolk Southern Foundation has contributed nearly $3.8 million in grants and matching gifts.
Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections to western rail carriers. NS operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America’s largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.