Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
Historical FunderJamestown, New York · EIN 16-6030502 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$2.3M
Organizations funded66
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$17.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $850 and $45,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | LEIGH J ROVEGNO |
|---|---|
| Address | 217 NORTH MAIN STREET, JAMESTOWN NY 14701 |
| Phone | 7166649890 |
| Form and materials | See the following web address http://www.chautauquagrants.org/ |
| Deadlines | See the following web address http://www.chautauquagrants.org/ |
| Restrictions | GEOGRAPHICAL, SOUTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NEW YORK |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
1% of grants went outside New York.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaut Lake & Watershed Mgmt Alliance | Jamestown, NY | 2025 lake & watershed projectsdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $268,166 |
| Chautauqua Institution | Chautauqua, NY | Bellinger hall renovation projectannual fund drivedirector/staff unrestricted grants | $215,750 |
| United Way of Southern Chaut Co | Jamestown, NY | 2025 campaigndirector/staff unrestricted grants | $155,300 |
| YWCA | Jamestown, NY | Operating supportrunaway slave statue replacementdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $125,900 |
| Mental Health Association in Chaut Co | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grantsoperating support | $125,500 |
| National Comedy Center | Jamestown, NY | Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $102,000 |
| YMCA | Jamestown, NY | Youth & adult access /onyahsa nurses cabindirector/staff unrestricted grants | $102,000 |
| Reg Lenna Center for the Arts | Jamestown, NY | Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $101,500 |
| Jamestown Community Learning Council | Jamestown, NY | Program support | $100,500 |
| Jamestown Community College | Jamestown, NY | Jcc/Ymca communitywellness center | $100,000 |
| Chautauqua Striders | Jamestown, NY | Program supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $71,000 |
| Infinity Performing Arts Program Inc | Jamestown, NY | Operating & program expensesdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $65,250 |
| Prevention Works | Falconer, NY | Programming in chautauqua co. schoolsdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $50,750 |
| Jamestown Renaissance Corp | Jamestown, NY | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Jamestown Boys & Girls Club | Jamestown, NY | Program supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $47,250 |
| Saint Susan Center | Jamestown, NY | Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $47,250 |
| Centaur Stride | Westfield, NY | Improvements to indoor arena | $45,000 |
| Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown Area | Jamestown, NY | Vehicle replacement projectdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $38,400 |
| James Prendergast Library Association | Jamestown, NY | Security, service & access renovationsdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $37,245 |
| Community Helping Hands | Jamestown, NY | Operating support director/staff unrestricted grants | $32,935 |
| United Christian Advocacy Network (Ucan) | Jamestown, NY | City mission - operatingdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $31,000 |
| Chautauqua Home Rehab & Improvement Corp | Mayville, NY | Purchase of xrf lead gun machine/training | $30,000 |
| Fenton History Center | Jamestown, NY | Operating supporte.d.disc. grant - chadakoin valley projectdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $30,000 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua Co | Fredonia, NY | South county literacy project | $30,000 |
| Robert H Jackson Center | Jamestown, NY | Capa theatre renovationsdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $27,250 |
| Roger Tory Peterson Institute | Jamestown, NY | Development capacity buildingdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $26,250 |
| Chautauqua Region Economic Dev Corp | Dunkirk, NY | Chautauqua co. overland trails revitalization | $25,000 |
| Jamestown Public Schools | Jamestown, NY | Summer learning program (leap) | $25,000 |
| Audubon Community Nature Center | Jamestown, NY | Accessibility improvementse.d. discretionary - computer/recruitmentdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $24,501 |
| The Relief Zone Inc | Frewsburg, NY | Operating/Program expenses& elevator lift | $21,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Wnyinc | Amherst, NY | Programs in so. chautauqua co. | $20,000 |
| Chautauqua Rails to Trails Inc | Mayville, NY | Rc sheldon, jr. trail - culvert repair | $15,000 |
| Feedmore Wny | Buffalo, NY | Capital supportoperating support for scc facility | $15,000 |
| First Presbyterian Church | Jamestown, NY | Scholarship funding for a childrens place day care | $15,000 |
| American Red Cross of Wny | Buffalo, NY | Chautauqua co. disaster servicesdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $10,500 |
| Chautauqua Region Community Foundation | Jamestown, NY | E.d. disc. - capacity lab supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $8,450 |
| The Heritage Group | Gerry, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $7,500 |
| Chautauqua Youth Symphony | Jamestown, NY | Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants | $5,500 |
| NY Funders Alliance | Syracuse, NY | 2025 membership dues | $3,500 |
| First Luthern Church | Jamestown, NY | E.d. disc. grant - first house (transitional housing)director/staff unrestricted grants | $2,675 |
| Community Music Project Inc | Jamestown, NY | E.d.disc. grant - music purchasedirector/staff unrestricted grants | $2,550 |
| #Integrityfirst | Lakewood, NY | E.d. discretionary - bus repair | $2,475 |
| Toys for Tots | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $1,500 |
| Chautauqua Lake Partnership | Bemus Point, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $1,250 |
| Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department | Bemus Point, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $1,000 |
| Conduit Ministries | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants (thanksgiving meal fund) | $1,000 |
| Friends of Child Advocacy Program | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $1,000 |
| Jamestown Center City Development Corp | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $1,000 |
| The Salvation Army | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $1,000 |
| Exponent Philanthropy | Washington, DC | 2025 membership dues | $850 |
| Chautauqua Lake Association Inc | Lakewood, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $750 |
| Lawson Boating Heritage Center | Bemus Pt, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $750 |
| Zion Covenant Church | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants(ministers discretionary fund) | $750 |
| Allegheny Highlands Council Inc | Falconer, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $500 |
| Bemus Point United Methodist Church | Bemus Point, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants(royal family kids camp) | $500 |
| Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity | Fredonia, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $500 |
| Chautauqua Co Humane Society | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $500 |
| Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care | Lakewood, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $500 |
| Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $500 |
| Wca Foundation Inc | Jamestown, NY | Director/Staff unrestricted grants | $500 |
Showing the 60 largest of 66 grants to organizations.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown Community College Foundation | Jamestown, NY | Jcc/Ymca community wellness center - funds for design phasejcc/ymca community wellness center - project costs | $900,000 |
| Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown Area | Jamestown, NY | Vehicle replacement project | $37,500 |
| Feedmore Wny | Buffalo, NY | Operating support for jamestown facilitycapital support for new buffalo facility | $25,000 |
| The Relief Zone Inc | Frewsburg, NY | Operating support | $16,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,275,847 | 70 |
| 2024 | $2,447,879 | 80 |
| 2023 | $3,029,422 | 85 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 11, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611319349101216
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 16-6030502
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.