The Norma Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation headquartered in Ashland, Ohio. Established in 2014, the foundation operates with a business-minded approach to grantmaking, funding charitable organizations that align with the legacy and values of its namesake, Norma Jean Jewell. The foundation employs three staff members and maintains an active presence in its local community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.4M
+7.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$443K
+3.5% YoY
Grant Count
40
-7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+11.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Norma Foundation reported a distributable amount of $480K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to honor the memory of Norma Jean Jewell by positively impacting the community it serves, with particular emphasis on:
- U.S. Veterans Services — including programs like the Honor Bus that connect veterans with educational and community experiences
- Animal Welfare — reflecting Norma's lifelong passion for the humane treatment of animals
- Human Services — supporting nonprofit organizations addressing poverty alleviation and social services
- Community Development — funding projects that strengthen Ashland County
The foundation describes itself as "a caring, invested partner" that rewards organizations with "compelling plans in need of monetary support."
Grantmaking
The foundation administers several named grant programs:
Grant Range
$250–$150,000
Average Grant
amount: $10,468
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Norma Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and projects in Ohio, with particular emphasis on Ashland County and the city of Ashland. Secondary geographic interests include Florida and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving:
- Total assets: $11.6–$12.4 million
- Total annual giving: $423,000–$515,000
- Giving rate: 3.7%–4.4% of assets
- Total revenue (2023): $278,639
- Total expenses (2023): $681,685
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,391,754 | $11,551,509 | $11,954,944 |
| Revenue | $6,772,532 | $278,639 | $-113,186 |
| Expenses | $630,362 | $681,685 | $624,336 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $578,289 | $515,481 | $503,219 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,547,053 | $187,309 | $228,854 |
| Distributable Amount | $480,029 | $366,181 | $403,124 |
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
150 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ashland County Community Foundation ($150,000), Associated Charities ($45,000), City of Ashland ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN VETERAN APPRECIATION EVENT ASHLAND, OH | SPONSORSHIP | $5,000 |
| APPLESEED ASHLAND, OH | COMPUTERS | $11,266 |
| ASHLAND ALL SPORTS BOOSTERS CLUB ASHLAND, OH | SPONSORSHIP | $475 |
| ASHLAND BALLOONFEST INC ASHLAND, OH | SPONSORSHIP | $1,000 |
| ASHLAND BIKE PROJECT ASHLAND, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $31,800 |
| ASHLAND BOOKCASE PROJECT ASHLAND, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $4,500 |
| ASHLAND CITY SCHOOLS ASHLAND, OH | CROSS COUNTRY TENTS | $5,500 |
| ASHLAND CO JR FAIR SALE & MARKET COMMITTEE ASHLAND, OH | FAIR AUCTION | $9,940 |
| ASHLAND COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ASHLAND, OH | FAIRGROUND BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS | $4,731 |
| ASHLAND COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ASHLAND, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $150,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Scott Conery — Director (son of Norma Jean Jewell)
- Carrie Stewart — Director
- Patrick Noser — Director
- Jennifer Smith — Chief Financial Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARRIE STEWART | DIRECTOR | 4.6 | $5,000 |
| PATRICK NOSER | DIRECTOR | 2.3 | — |
| SCOTT CONERY | DIRECTOR | 1.2 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported several notable community projects in recent years:
Community Foundation announces 35 grants for nonprofits**Ashland Kroc Center Spray Park** — partnered with Bob and Jan Archer to develop an outdoor spray park that opened in summer 2023, providing free lunches to children during weekdays
**Breakfast Pizza with Dad** — annual community event celebrating fathers in partnership with the City of Ashland and Ohio Fire
**Honor Bus Trips** — facilitated veteran experiences and community connections
**Dog Shelter Development** — a multi-year initiative to construct a new animal shelter facility in Ashland County
**Ashland County Community Foundation Childcare Center** — supported groundbreaking for a community childcare facility
Community Foundation announces 35 grants for nonprofitsThe foundation held its grand opening celebration on June 29, 2022, with approximately 100 community members in attendance.
Community Foundation announces 35 grants for nonprofitsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Norma Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to honor the memory of Norma Jean Jewell by positively impacting the community it serves, with particular emphasis on: • **U.S. Veterans Services** — including programs like the Honor Bus that connect veterans with educational and community experiences • **Animal Welfare** — reflecting Norma's lifelong passion for the humane treatment of animals • **Human Services** — supporting nonprofit organizations addressing poverty alleviation and social services • **Community …
How do I apply for a grant from The Norma Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Amounts:** • Total annual giving: approximately $423,000–$515,000 • Number of grants: 35–73 grants annually (varies by year) • Grant range: $250–$150,000 • Median grant amount: $4,612–$5,000 • Average grant amount: $10,468 **Grant Programs:** The foundation administers several named grant programs: • **General Support** — the primary funding mechanism, averaging $10,468 across 62 recipients • **K-9 & Resiliency Room Programs** — averaging $47,556, supporting animal welfare an…
Where does The Norma Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations and projects in Ohio, with particular emphasis on Ashland County and the city of Ashland. Secondary geographic interests include Florida and Virginia.
What size grants does The Norma Foundation award?
In 2024, The Norma Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $443K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Norma Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Norma Foundation reported a distributable amount of $480K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Norma Foundation's EIN?
The Norma Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4540736. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Norma Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cooper Tire Foundation Inc
AKRON, OH
Assets
$71K
Grants
2
Total Given
$67K
Auburn Education Foundation
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH
Assets
$352K
Grants
2
Total Given
$214K
Galpin-white Ta
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$887
The Cleveland Superior Arts
CLEVELAND, OH
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$251K
Mary E H Rutter Tr Para 28
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$401K
Grants
1
Total Given
$26K
Carrie Peska Memorial Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, OH
Assets
$19K
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Norma 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 Norma Foundation to a real strategy.