At an early age, David Light fell in love with trains and never looked back. Whether riding the rails on excursions, camping out at Irondale to watch trains, or absorbing anything he could learn about railroading, Light pursued his passion and turned it into a career.,A member of the NS team for 16 years, Light operates trains throughout our Alabama Great Southern (AGS) District. His familiarity with the territory helped him capture this NS train as grain was unloaded at Koch Industries in Attalla, Alabama. “This is one of the few spots in the area that has a full loop track,” he says. “It’s an interesting shot because you can see the train appear to be chasing its own tail as it is unloading.”,It took a few tries to finally land a position with NS many years ago, Light says, but that perseverance is a point of pride. “Through the ups and downs, nothing will ever change my love for sitting in the seat, hand on the throttle, and moving these trains,” he says. “I take great pride in what I do every day and what we do as a team."

GRANT PROGRAMS

In 2023, Norfolk Southern launched two new, open-application grant programs. These programs are designed to support organizations that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local work force, and build strong, resilient communities in the 22 states where Norfolk Southern operates.

 

The Thriving Communities and Safety First grant programs are now closed and no longer accepting applications for the 2025 program year, effective September 1, 2025. Applications for the 2026 program year will reopen in Spring 2026. Applications for Community Disaster Relief grants are available periodically at the discretion of the NS Community Impact team following severe weather events impacting communities within our network. The application period typically remains open for 3-6 weeks but will vary depending on ongoing recovery efforts and the nature of the disaster. The In-Kind Donation grant program does not have a deadline to apply and is open year-round.

Promoting Safety

Safety First Grant

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.

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Group of Volunteers

Promoting Sustainability

Thriving Communities Grant

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.

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Thriving Community Grant Image 1.2025

SUPPORTING RECOVERY

Community Disaster Relief Grant

The Community Disaster Relief Grant Program is designed to support recovery efforts following severe weather events that impact communities within Norfolk Southern’s 22-state network.

 

Applications are available periodically at the discretion of the NS Community Impact team following severe weather events impacting communities within our network. The application period typically remains open for 3-6 weeks but will vary depending on ongoing recovery efforts and the nature of the disaster.

Disaster Relief

SUPPLYING PROSPERITY

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.

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In-Kind Donation Grant

NEW!

Norfolk Southern Grant Delivering Meals, Hope in Pittsburgh

Over 30,000 meals and counting have come from Norfolk Southern’s latest donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, providing a critical boost for families, seniors, and individuals facing hunger. The grant, part of Norfolk Southern’s Thriving Communities program, is the latest in 10 years of support for the Food Bank’s mission to fight food insecurity in southwestern Pennsylvania.

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Pittsburgh Food Bank

Learn More About Corporate Giving

Forging a Better Tomorrow

Norfolk Southern Enviromental, Social, and Governance report.

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Grant Guidelines

Learn more about the grant guidelines and eligilibility requirements.

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Our Focus Areas

Learn more about the our focus areas.

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Grant FAQ's

Answers to some commonly asked questions.

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