The Norbell Foundation is a private independent foundation classified as a 501(c)(3) organization. Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, it operates as a family foundation established in 1994 in Pennsylvania before relocating to its current Wisconsin location. The foundation functions as a grantmaking organization supporting various charitable causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$281K
+8.1% YoY
Grant Count
53
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+8.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Norbell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, and human services. Recent grant activity indicates support for general operating expenses, research, and specific projects such as the Montour Greenway expansion project.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 54 grants in 2023, with typical award sizes ranging from $1,000 to $18,000. Recent notable grants include:
Ready to take the next step with The Norbell Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $2,351,581
- Total Revenue: $175,344
- Total Expenses: $294,783
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $183,795
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,228,667
- Total Giving: $281,000
The foundation has no employees and operates with investment income as its primary revenue source.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,228,667 | $2,351,581 | $2,471,020 |
| Revenue | $188,839 | $175,344 | $161,514 |
| Expenses | $311,753 | $294,783 | $302,585 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $282,890 | $263,171 | $271,415 |
| Net Investment Income | $165,530 | $154,154 | $141,748 |
| Distributable Amount | $276,347 | $264,486 | $273,635 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Cancer Society ($18,000), Telluride Humane Society ($13,000), Hope International ($12,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $18,000 |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION MERRIFIELD, VA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $2,500 |
| ARCHANGEL GABRIEL CATHOLIC PARISH MCKEES ROCKS, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $5,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - LAUREL HIGHLANDS COUNCIL PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $3,000 |
| CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $7,000 |
| CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $7,000 |
| CENTER FOR HOPE FAITH CENTER AMBRIDGE, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $4,000 |
| CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH ASSOCIATION GLENOLDEN, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $5,000 |
| CORAOPOLIS YOUTH CREATIONS CORAOPOLIS, PA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $2,000 |
| CREEKSIDE ELEMENTARY PARENT STAFF ORGANIZATION SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN S EASLEY | TRUSTEE & FOUNDATION MANAGER | 0.5 | — |
| JOYCE S BIFFAR | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| TRAVIS S BIFFAR | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| CHARLES S STUCKEMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| FIDUCIARY PARTNERS TRUST CO | TRUSTEE | 5 | $21,186 |
Contact Information
Address: 3913 W Prospect Ave Ste 201, Appleton, WI 54914-8797
Telephone: 920-380-9960
Tax-Exempt Status: Recognized since August 1995
EIN: 25-1757468
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Norbell Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, and human services. Recent grant activity indicates support for general operating expenses, research, and specific projects such as the Montour Greenway expansion project.
How do I apply for a grant from The Norbell Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Amounts** The foundation made 54 grants in 2023, with typical award sizes ranging from $1,000 to $18,000. Recent notable grants include: • Telluride Humane Society: $13,000 (General Operating Expenses) • Creekside Educational Foundation: $13,000 (General Operating Expenses) • Hope International: $10,000 (General Operating Expenses) Total giving in 2023 reached approximately $180,000 across 54 grantees.
Where does The Norbell Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and California.
What size grants does The Norbell Foundation award?
In 2024, The Norbell Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $281K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Norbell Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Norbell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Norbell Foundation's EIN?
The Norbell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1757468. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Norbell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Otto Weisse Tr-sheb Falls
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Hematologyoncology Pharmacy Association
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$10.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$108K
Grafton Medical Foundation
GRAFTON, WI
Assets
$86K
Grants
6
Total Given
$9K
The Argosy Foundation
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$74.0M
Grants
280
Total Given
$16.9M
Farview Foundation
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
32
Total Given
$218K
Isaiah Goodall Trust Nect
MILWAUKEE, WI
Assets
$141K
Grants
1
Total Given
$7K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Norbell Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Norbell Foundation to a real strategy.