The Norton Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 86-0836442
• Total Assets: $30.2M (2024)
• Annual Giving: ~$1.2M
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $510,000
• Median Grant: $43,000
• Number of Grants: ~20 annually
• Geographic Focus: Arizona (primarily Phoenix metropolitan area)
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 19420 N 59th Avenue, Suite B235, Glendale, AZ 85308
Alternative Address: 4835 E Cactus Rd, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85254-4192
Phone: (602) 954-8812
Note: No public website identified

Overview

The Norton Foundation was established in 1996 by John R. Norton III and his wife Doris Norton to meet the charitable, educational, and scientific needs of the Phoenix area and the State of Arizona. John Norton (1929-2016) was a third-generation Arizonan who founded J.R. Norton Company and served as United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in the Reagan administration. Doris Norton (1927-2021), a University of Arizona alumna, partnered with her husband in creating one of Arizona's most significant philanthropic legacies.

The foundation is now led by their three children—Michael R. Norton and John P. Norton (Co-Chairmen) and Melanie M. Norton (Secretary)—with Cheryl Oliver serving as President and Treasurer. With total assets of $30.2 million, the foundation distributes approximately $1.2 million annually through 20 grants. The Norton family's giving philosophy centers on healthcare, education, animal welfare, and human services, reflecting their deep connection to Arizona institutions and their belief in supporting organizations that transform lives in their community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Norton Foundation operates as a private family foundation without formal grant programs or application cycles. The foundation awards grants on a discretionary basis, determined by the trustees. Grant amounts range from $3,000 to $510,000, with a median grant of $43,000.

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's giving history and the Norton family's legacy, funding priorities include:

Healthcare & Medical Education

• Hospital systems and healthcare foundations
• Medical and nursing education programs
• Healthcare workforce development
• Patient care facilities and equipment

Human Services

• Homeless services and emergency shelter
• Child welfare and crisis intervention
• Burn survivor support
• Community health initiatives

Animal Welfare

• Animal rescue and shelter services
• Veterinary care for vulnerable animals
• Kitten and puppy care programs

Education

• Family and consumer sciences
• Scholarship programs for healthcare students
• Student success and wellness initiatives

Geographic Focus: Arizona, with strong emphasis on the Phoenix metropolitan area, though some support extends to Oregon and Nebraska.

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

• Andre House of Arizona (Phoenix) - $75,000 for operating support
• Arizona Humane Society (Phoenix) - $50,000 for operating support
• Arizona Burn Foundation Inc (Phoenix) - $45,000 for operating support
• Banner Health Foundation (Phoenix) - $41,000 for operating support
• Copperstate Foundation (Paradise Valley) - $20,000 for operating support
• Child Crisis Arizona (Mesa) - Operating support
• Creighton University - Major capital gift for Norton Foundation Success Center
• Phoenix Children's Hospital - Ongoing support
• St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center - Major ongoing support

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no published exclusion list. However, based on their giving pattern, the foundation appears focused exclusively on Arizona-based organizations (with rare exceptions) and does not appear to fund:

• Organizations outside their core interest areas
• Individual requests or scholarships (except through established institutional programs)
• Political or advocacy organizations
• Religious organizations for sectarian purposes

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Michael R. Norton - Co-Chairman (son of founders)
• John P. Norton - Co-Chairman (son of founders)
• Melanie M. Norton - Secretary (daughter of founders)
• Cheryl Oliver - President and Treasurer

The foundation is governed by the children of founders John and Doris Norton, who continue their parents' philanthropic legacy. The leadership maintains a hands-on approach to grantmaking, personally selecting organizations that align with their family's values and their parents' vision.

From Cheryl Oliver, President: Speaking about the Norton Foundation Success Center at Creighton University, Oliver explained that "the foundation was established to support students at Creighton University" and emphasized the family's commitment to healthcare education and workforce development.

From Doris Norton (reflecting the family's giving philosophy): "We've always believed St. Joseph's is the leading hospital in the Valley... We've always felt blessed to be able to support St. Joseph's and the education of those advancing in the health care profession." This quote captures the Norton family's longstanding commitment to healthcare institutions and their focus on creating sustainable impact through education.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Norton Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. This is a private family foundation that proactively identifies and selects grant recipients based on the trustees' discretion and the family's philanthropic interests.

Organizations cannot submit proposals through an application portal, mail, or email. All grants are initiated by the foundation's leadership through their own research, relationships, and knowledge of community needs.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the Norton family's giving history, organizations that have received support share several characteristics:

Established Institutional Relationships: The foundation has deep, multi-decade relationships with key institutions like St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Creighton University's Phoenix campus, the University of Arizona, and the Arizona Humane Society. These relationships often began with John and Doris Norton's personal involvement and continue through their children's leadership.

Major Gift Recipients: Organizations that have received transformational gifts from the Nortons include:

• St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center received $19 million in 2014 (the largest donation in Arizona history at that time) to establish the John and Doris Norton Cardiothoracic and Transplantation Institute
• Subsequent gifts of $5 million and other support for nursing scholarships and the Norton Manor facility
• The University of Arizona received $4 million in 2004 to create the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences (now Norton School of Human Ecology)
• The Arizona Humane Society houses the Doris Norton Kitten Nursery and Bottle Baby ICU

Personal Connection: Many supported organizations have direct personal connections to the Norton family, such as St. Joseph's Hospital where all three Norton children were born, or the University of Arizona where Doris Norton was an alumna.

Alignment with Core Values: Organizations working in healthcare, medical education, animal welfare, child welfare, and services for vulnerable populations appear most likely to receive support.

Geographic Proximity: Nearly all grant recipients are located in the Phoenix metropolitan area or elsewhere in Arizona.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on its own timeline without application deadlines or notification schedules.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Organizations that have received funding may receive additional support at the trustees' discretion, often through multi-year or ongoing relationships.

Application Success Factors

Since The Norton Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the Norton family values can help organizations understand whether they might align with the foundation's mission:

Multi-Generational Relationships: The Norton family's giving is characterized by deep, sustained relationships with institutions. St. Joseph's Hospital, Creighton University, and the University of Arizona have received multiple gifts over many years. Organizations that have received initial support should focus on stewardship, impact reporting, and maintaining relationships with foundation leadership.

Transformational Impact: The Nortons have consistently funded projects that create lasting change—named buildings, endowed scholarships, and capital facilities. Their giving statement emphasizes meeting "charitable, educational and scientific needs," suggesting a focus on infrastructure and programs that will serve the community for generations.

Healthcare Education Pipeline: A recurring theme in Norton giving is supporting the healthcare workforce. As Doris Norton noted, their giving aims to create "a pipeline of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals." Organizations that train, educate, or support healthcare workers may align with this priority.

Vulnerable Populations: Recent annual grants support organizations serving the homeless (Andre House), abused children (Child Crisis Arizona), burn survivors (Arizona Burn Foundation), and at-risk animals (Arizona Humane Society). Direct service organizations serving vulnerable populations appear to be a consistent priority.

Stewardship Excellence: Organizations like St. Joseph's Foundation, which have received multiple gifts from the Nortons, demonstrate exceptional donor stewardship through naming opportunities (Norton Cardiothoracic and Transplantation Institute, Norton Manor, Norton Foundation Success Center), recognition events, and clear communication of impact.

Arizona Focus: The foundation's stated mission is to serve "Phoenix area and the State of Arizona." With rare exceptions, grants go to Arizona-based organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: The Norton Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or applications of any kind. All grants are trustee-initiated.

• Multi-Year Relationships Are Key: Organizations receiving support from the Norton Foundation typically have longstanding relationships with the family, often spanning decades. Single grants are rare; sustained partnerships are the norm.

• Healthcare Education Is a Top Priority: The family's most significant gifts have supported medical and nursing education, particularly at St. Joseph's Hospital/Creighton University Phoenix campus. Organizations in healthcare education or workforce development align strongly with the foundation's mission.

• Named Recognition Opportunities: Major gifts from the Nortons have resulted in named institutes, centers, classrooms, and facilities. Organizations seeking major support should be prepared to offer meaningful recognition opportunities that honor the Norton family legacy.

• Personal Connection Matters: The Norton family's giving reflects their personal values and connections. Doris Norton's University of Arizona connection led to the Norton School; their children being born at St. Joseph's led to healthcare support; Doris's love of animals led to the kitten nursery. Personal relationships with board members could be significant.

• Think Big and Transformational: While the foundation makes grants ranging from $3,000 to $510,000, their most celebrated giving involves transformational, multi-million-dollar gifts that create lasting infrastructure. Small annual grants appear to go to organizations with proven track records.

• Exemplary Stewardship Is Essential: Organizations that have received multiple Norton gifts demonstrate excellence in donor relations, clear impact reporting, and meaningful recognition. If your organization is fortunate enough to receive support, treat it as the beginning of a long-term relationship.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Norton Foundation (EIN 86-0836442). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/860836442 (Accessed February 2026)

2. Candid Foundation Directory - The Norton Foundation profile. Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=NORT231 (Accessed February 2026)

3. Instrumentl 990 Report - The Norton Foundation. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-norton-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

4. Arizona Foothills Magazine. "AZ Insider: Philanthropist Doris Norton Donates $5M to St. Joseph's & Creighton University." Available at: https://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/the-az-insider/10399-az-insiderphilanthropist-doris-norton-donates-5m-to-st-josephs-a-creighton-university.html (Accessed February 2026)

5. Creighton University. "New floor on Phoenix campus is set for success - Norton Foundation Success Center." Available at: https://alumni.creighton.edu/news-events/news/norton-foundation-success-center (Accessed February 2026)

6. Creighton University. "Driven by tradition to transform the Southwest." Available at: https://alumni.creighton.edu/impact-giving/stories/transforming-southwest-through-creighton (Accessed February 2026)

7. Wikipedia. "John R. Norton III." Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Norton_III (Accessed February 2026)

8. Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. "Doris Norton Obituary." Available at: https://www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/norton-doris (Accessed February 2026)

9. University of Arizona, Norton School. "Doris Norton." Available at: https://cals.arizona.edu/fcs/norton-board/doris-norton (Accessed February 2026)

10. Cause IQ - The Norton Foundation. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-norton-foundation,860836442/ (Accessed February 2026)

11. GrantExec - The Norton Foundation. Available at: https://grantexec.com/foundations/860836442 (Accessed February 2026)