The Van Norton Family Foundation is a private foundation with full 501(c)(3) status based in New York State. We exist to support other qualifying not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charities that align with our mission.
Our mission is to support organizations that:
- Promote the interests of children.
- Improve the mental and physical health of persons within communities across our country.
- Advance the arts.
Our inspiration:
Our foundation takes its name and inspiration from Howard Van Norton and from his daughter, Kay Van Norton Poche, our role models for generosity and community engagement.
Howard Van Norton was a kind, loving, generous human being, deeply regarded by his family and known within his community as someone never afraid to speak up when something needed attention. As a WWII veteran, he was no stranger to sacrifice and endured great peril and physical injury that he quietly lived with for most of his life. Cheerful and welcoming, he made so many feel at home in his presence. Devoted and loving, his personal motto, “always err on the side of generosity”, has become our family’s raison d’etre and has served us well in finding ways to give back within our communities. 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of our farewell to this wonderful human being and we are greatly honored to establish this Foundation in his name.
Kay Van Norton Poche is a small-town girl who quite unexpectedly found herself in a tremendous position of wealth and privilege, due to the love and devotion for her brilliant and generous husband of more than 30 years. When he fell ill a decade ago, she learned quickly how to both carry on the work that he started and expand upon it in ways she never thought possible. She has set an example of giving and generosity for her children, who have the goal and hope of being good stewards of all she shares with them.