Norton Foundation
/OVERVIEW: This funder prioritizes holistic education in the Louisville, Kentucky, area. Teacher professional development and integrating the arts into education are also important to Norton.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, arts education, teacher professional development
IP TAKE: Grant seekers should learn a bit about the Waldorf education model before contacting Norton. While not every grant is in direct support of this model, its concepts drive the foundation's grantmaking strategy.
PROFILE: The Norton Foundation is based in Louisville, Kentucky, and prioritzes funding in this community. It seeks to promote “the advancement of Waldorf education” and foster “hands-on learning experiences and creative community in Louisville, Kentucky.” The foundation was created by George W. Norton, who was the founder and president of WAVE Radio and TV in Louisville. Norton established the WAVE Foundation to give back to his community, and its oversight went to his family after his death in 1964. It was renamed the George W. Norton Foundation in 1981 and finally just the Norton Foundation, after the death of the founder's wife in 1988.
Norton supports the Waldorf education model and hands-on learning experiences in Louisville. The Waldorf model advocates holistic education that addresses social and emotional skills, hands-on activities and creativity alongside academics.
The foundation has supported the Waldorf School of Louisville for grades K-8 and teacher training on Waldorf methods. Teacher professional development at the first public Waldorf school in Louisville, Maupin Elementary also receives significant support. Past grantees include the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, New Roots, the Actors Theatre of Louisville, Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana, and Dare to Care Food Bank. Recent grants can be viewed here.
Grant applications are due around the first of March, June, and October. The first step in the application process is for grant seekers to introduce their idea to the executive director—in person, by phone, or email. Organizations can apply for grants once per year upon confirming that the idea aligns with Norton’s mission. From there, the application is accessible online via the foundation’s website.
Norton grants range anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000. Public charities in Louisville may be eligible. The board of directors will meet three times each year to review grant requests and about a month after the application deadlines. The executive director contacts applications to advise whether a request was approved or denied.
The foundation welcomes communications about how to complete applications and conversations about how to improve life in Louisville.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
