Norcross Wildlife Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• EIN: 132041622
• Annual Giving: $146,288 (2024)
• Number of Awards: 17 grants (2024)
• Average Grant Size: ~$8,600
• Grant Range: Historically $450 - $4,000+ for equipment/small grants
• Geographic Focus: Regional (New England/Massachusetts focus with some national reach)
• Foundation Type: 501(c)3 Private Operating Foundation
• Founded: 1964

Contact Details

Physical Address: 30 Peck Road, Wales, MA 01081

Mailing Address: PO Box 269, Wales, MA 01081

Phone: (413) 245-1264 or (413) 267-9654

Email: info@norcrosswildlife.org

Website: https://norcrosswildlife.org

Note: Staff and offices are available by appointment only.

Overview

The Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc. was created in 1964 by Arthur D. Norcross, founder of the Norcross Greeting Card Company and a lifelong nature enthusiast who sponsored Arctic expeditions to collect specimens for museums including The Smithsonian. The Foundation manages the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (founded 1939) on 8,238 acres in Wales, Massachusetts. As a private operating foundation, it both operates its own sanctuary and supports external conservation organizations through grants and loans. The Foundation has helped preserve over 33,000 acres since 1939, with its Conservation Loan Program alone completing 140 loans totaling more than $23 million (all repaid in full), conserving over 55,000 acres of threatened wildlife habitat. Under Executive Director Ed Hood's leadership since 2014, the Foundation continues its dual mission of sanctuary management and support for grassroots conservation organizations across the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Equipment and Capacity Grants

• Amount Range: Historically $450 - $4,000
• Total Annual Giving: $146,288 (2024 across 17 awards)
• Typical Grant: $1,000 - $3,000
• Application Status: Program status varies - check website for current information

Examples of funded projects (2015):

• Field equipment (GPS units, wildlife cameras, field gear): $2,000 - $3,000
• Computer equipment (laptops, servers, projectors): $450 - $2,000
• Office equipment and software: $1,400 - $4,000

Conservation Loan Program

• Amount: Up to $250,000
• Term: Up to one full year
• Interest: No-interest loans (Program-Related Investments)
• Current Status: Paused as of February 2025
• Application Timeline: Minimum 4 weeks when program is active
• Track Record: 140 loans completed, all repaid in full, conserving 55,000+ acres

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Wildlife habitat conservation and land protection
• Support for grassroots conservation organizations (land trusts, nature centers)
• Environmental education and science
• Threatened, endangered, and habitat-critical native plant populations
• Biodiversity enhancement in the New England region

Specific Interests:

• Field equipment for wildlife monitoring and research
• Technology and equipment to support conservation work
• Land acquisition for permanent habitat protection
• Educational programming materials
• Organizational capacity building for small conservation groups

What They Fund

• Equipment grants for field work (GPS units, wildlife cameras, binoculars)
• Computer and technology equipment for conservation organizations
• Office equipment and software
• Educational materials and equipment
• Conservation land acquisition (through loan program when active)
• Support for new ideas and leaders in the conservation field

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus clearly indicates they prioritize:

• Grassroots organizations over large national groups
• Direct conservation work over administrative overhead
• Equipment and land acquisition over program operations
• New England/regional organizations, though some national reach exists

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Ed Hood, Executive Director (appointed circa 2014)

• Nearly 30 years of experience leading teams and organizations that engage the public with nature, history, and culture
• Previously served as the first Executive Director of the Opacum Land Trust (since 2014), where he doubled both acres protected and organizational budget
• Prior 25 years in progressive leadership roles at Old Sturbridge Village
• Brings "tremendous expertise in land conservation, a keen understanding of sustainable stewardship practices, and extensive experience in developing educational programming for the public"

Board of Directors

The Foundation has a Board of Directors that oversees the endowment created by Arthur D. Norcross. Known board members include:

• Elizabeth Wroblicka: Specializes in land conservation; formerly Chief of Wildlife Lands for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
• Joan: Joined board in 2021; conducts research on wildlife ecology
• Jennifer Sullo: Director of Client Portfolio Management at Principal Asset Management; expertise in portfolio construction and fiduciary governance
• McDiarmid: Board member (position details not specified)

Governance Practices: The board and senior staff have reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed disclosure statements. The board ensures an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership.

Founder

Arthur D. Norcross (1893-1966)

• Native of Monson, Massachusetts
• Founder of the Norcross Greeting Card Company
• Demonstrated avid interest in nature and wildlife from boyhood
• Sponsored several Arctic expeditions collecting botanical and zoological specimens for museums including The Smithsonian
• Created the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary at "Tupper Hill" in Wales, Massachusetts in 1939
• Established the Foundation in 1964 with an endowment to support its ongoing work

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Equipment Grant Program: The Foundation has made grants to conservation organizations for equipment and capacity building. However, current application procedures are not clearly documented in public sources. Based on available information:

• Status: Grant program status varies seasonally and annually
• Past Practice: The Foundation has accepted applications for small equipment grants
• Application Method: Not specified in available sources
• Pre-Application Contact: Recommended to contact Ed Hood at info@norcrosswildlife.org or (413) 245-1264

Conservation Loan Program (Currently Paused): When active, this program requires:

• Download loan application from website
• Habitat assessment or natural inventory study prepared by a biologist, forester, or ecologist
• Minimum 4-week application review process
• Foundation assistance available for completing loan applications
• Contact: Ed Hood, Executive Director, info@norcrosswildlife.org, (413) 245-1264

Important: As of February 2025, the Conservation Loan Program is paused. The equipment grant program status should be confirmed by contacting the Foundation directly.

Decision Timeline

• Conservation Loan Program: Minimum 4 weeks for application review (when active)
• Equipment Grants: Timeline not specified; likely reviewed on rolling basis or specific board meeting schedule
• Annual Grant Cycle: Foundation made 17 awards in 2024, 16 in 2023, 23 in 2022, and 30 in 2020, suggesting regular grantmaking activity

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However:

• The Foundation has a clear track record of supporting grassroots conservation organizations
• Annual grant numbers have ranged from 16-30 awards in recent years
• The Conservation Loan Program has a 100% repayment rate over 140 loans

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available sources. Given the Foundation's mission to support grassroots organizations and the types of equipment grants they make, repeat applications for different projects are likely acceptable.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's mission, past grantmaking, and leadership statements:

Alignment with Mission:

• Focus on wildlife habitat conservation and biodiversity
• Support for grassroots organizations (land trusts, nature centers, small conservation groups)
• Projects that enhance understanding and respect for the natural world
• Work in or relevant to the New England/Massachusetts eco-region

Equipment Grant Priorities (based on 2015 examples):

• Field equipment directly supporting wildlife monitoring and habitat assessment
• Technology that builds organizational capacity for conservation work
• Modest, practical requests ($450-$4,000 range historically)
• Clear connection between equipment and conservation outcomes

Organizational Profile:

• Small to mid-sized grassroots conservation organizations
• Land trusts and nature centers particularly favored
• Organizations doing hands-on conservation and education work
• Groups working in the Foundation's eco-region

Application Quality:

• For loan program: Professional habitat assessments required
• Clear articulation of how equipment/support advances conservation goals
• Demonstrated commitment to wildlife protection and environmental education
• Evidence of organizational capacity and responsible stewardship

Leadership Perspective: Ed Hood brings expertise in "land conservation, sustainable stewardship practices, and educational programming," suggesting applications should demonstrate these values. His focus on "inviting the public to engage with nature" and "support of new ideas and leaders in the conservation field" indicates openness to innovative approaches and emerging conservation leaders.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Target Grassroots Organizations: The Foundation explicitly focuses on small, grassroots conservation groups like land trusts and nature centers, not large national organizations.

2. Equipment Grants Are Small But Strategic: Historical grants range from $450-$4,000 for field and office equipment. Keep requests modest and directly tied to conservation work.

3. Conservation Loan Program Is Unique: The no-interest loan program up to $250,000 for land acquisition is a significant opportunity when active, with perfect repayment history and substantial conservation impact (55,000+ acres).

4. Regional Focus Matters: While some grants go nationally, the Foundation's core interest is protecting habitat in their eco-region around the Massachusetts sanctuary.

5. Leadership Values Innovation: Ed Hood's appointment signals interest in "new ideas and leaders in the conservation field" and sustainable practices, so innovative approaches may be well-received.

6. Check Current Status: Both grant and loan programs appear to have variable availability. Always confirm current application status before investing time in proposals.

7. Professional Standards for Loans: The loan program requires professional habitat assessments by biologists, foresters, or ecologists, indicating the Foundation values scientific rigor in land conservation decisions.

References

• Norcross Wildlife Foundation official website: https://norcrosswildlife.org (Accessed March 2026)
• Norcross Wildlife Foundation - Grants and Loans information (Accessed March 2026)
• Norcross Wildlife Foundation - Conservation Loans program details (Accessed March 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Norcross Wildlife Foundation Inc (EIN: 132041622): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132041622 (Accessed March 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc.: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-2041622 (Accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc.: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=NORC002 (Accessed March 2026)
• Cause IQ - Norcross Wildlife Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/norcross-wildlife-foundation,132041622/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Norcross Wildlife Foundation Inc: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/norcross-wildlife-foundation-inc (Accessed March 2026)
• Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition - Norcross Wildlife Foundation: https://massland.org/land-trusts/norcross-wildlife-foundation (Accessed March 2026)