The New York State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 16-6030502

Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc

A private foundation in Jamestown, NY. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 66 grants and $2.3 million paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Leigh J Rovegno
217 North Main Street
Jamestown, NY 14701
(716) 664-9890
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

Assets and giving by year

8 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $2,275,847

    Grants listed
    66
    Assets, end of year
    $11,166,801
  • Tax year 2024

    $2,447,879

    Grants listed
    68
    Assets, end of year
    $11,155,022
  • Tax year 2023

    $3,029,422

    Grants listed
    72
    Assets, end of year
    $11,226,604
  • Tax year 2022

    $2,263,318

    Grants listed
    75
    Assets, end of year
    $12,191,633
  • Tax year 2021

    $2,205,853

    Grants listed
    76
    Assets, end of year
    $11,896,585
  • Tax year 2020

    $1,912,030

    Grants listed
    66
    Assets, end of year
    $11,062,511
  • Tax year 2019

    $1,777,860

    Grants listed
    69
    Assets, end of year
    $10,720,926
  • Tax year 2018

    $2,357,784

    Grants listed
    83
    Assets, end of year
    $10,335,872

Grants paid in 2025

66 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Chaut Lake & Watershed Mgmt AllianceJamestown, NY

    2025 lake & watershed projectsdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $268,166
  2. Chautauqua InstitutionChautauqua, NY

    Bellinger hall renovation projectannual fund drivedirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $215,750
  3. United Way of Southern Chaut CoJamestown, NY

    2025 campaigndirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $155,300
  4. YWCAJamestown, NY

    Operating supportrunaway slave statue replacementdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $125,900
  5. Mental Health Association in Chaut CoJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grantsoperating support

    $125,500
  6. National Comedy CenterJamestown, NY

    Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $102,000
  7. YMCAJamestown, NY

    Youth & adult access /onyahsa nurses cabindirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $102,000
  8. Reg Lenna Center for the ArtsJamestown, NY

    Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $101,500
  9. Jamestown Community Learning CouncilJamestown, NY

    Program support

    $100,500
  10. Jamestown Community CollegeJamestown, NY

    Jcc/ymca communitywellness center

    $100,000
  11. Chautauqua StridersJamestown, NY

    Program supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $71,000
  12. Infinity Performing Arts Program IncJamestown, NY

    Operating & program expensesdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $65,250
  13. Prevention WorksJamestown, NY

    Programming in chautauqua co. Schoolsdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $50,750
  14. Jamestown Renaissance CorpJamestown, NY

    Operating support

    $50,000
  15. Jamestown Boys & Girls ClubJamestown, NY

    Program supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $47,250
  16. Saint Susan CenterJamestown, NY

    Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $47,250
  17. Centaur StrideWestfield, NY

    Improvements to indoor arena

    $45,000
  18. Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown AreaFalconer, NY

    Vehicle replacement projectdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $38,400
  19. James Prendergast Library AssociationJamestown, NY

    Security, service & access renovationsdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $37,245
  20. Community Helping HandsJamestown, NY

    Operating support director/staff unrestricted grants

    $32,935
  21. United Christian Advocacy Network (ucan)Jamestown, NY

    City mission - operatingdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $31,000
  22. Chautauqua Home Rehab & Improvement CorpMayville, NY

    Purchase of XRF lead gun machine/training

    $30,000
  23. Fenton History CenterJamestown, NY

    Operating supporte.d.disc. Grant - chadakoin valley projectdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $30,000
  24. Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua CoFredonia, NY

    South county literacy project

    $30,000
  25. Robert H Jackson CenterJamestown, NY

    Capa theatre renovationsdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $27,250
  26. Roger Tory Peterson InstituteJamestown, NY

    Development capacity buildingdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $26,250
  27. Chautauqua Region Economic Dev CorpDunkirk, NY

    Chautauqua co. Overland trails revitalization

    $25,000
  28. Jamestown Public SchoolsJamestown, NY

    Summer learning program (leap)

    $25,000
  29. Audubon Community Nature CenterJamestown, NY

    Accessibility improvementse.d. Discretionary - computer/recruitmentdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $24,501
  30. The Relief Zone IncFrewsburg, NY

    Operating/program expenses& elevator lift

    $21,000
  31. Junior Achievement of WnyincAmherst, NY

    Programs in so. Chautauqua co.

    $20,000
  32. Chautauqua Rails to Trails IncMayville, NY

    RC sheldon, JR. Trail - culvert repair

    $15,000
  33. Feedmore WnyBuffalo, NY

    Capital supportoperating support for SCC facility

    $15,000
  34. First Presbyterian ChurchJamestown, NY

    Scholarship funding for a childrens place day care

    $15,000
  35. American Red Cross of WnyBuffalo, NY

    Chautauqua co. Disaster servicesdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $10,500
  36. Chautauqua Region Community FoundationJamestown, NY

    E.d. Disc. - capacity lab supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $8,450
  37. The Heritage GroupGerry, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $7,500
  38. Chautauqua Youth SymphonyJamestown, NY

    Operating supportdirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $5,500
  39. NY Funders AllianceSyracuse, NY

    2025 membership dues

    $3,500
  40. First Luthern ChurchJamestown, NY

    E.d. Disc. Grant - first house (transitional housing)director/staff unrestricted grants

    $2,675
  41. Community Music Project IncJamestown, NY

    E.d.disc. Grant - music purchasedirector/staff unrestricted grants

    $2,550
  42. #integrityfirstLakewood, NY

    E.d. Discretionary - bus repair

    $2,475
  43. Toys for TotsJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $1,500
  44. Chautauqua Lake PartnershipBemus Point, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $1,250
  45. Bemus Point Volunteer Fire DepartmentBemus Point, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $1,000
  46. Conduit MinistriesJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants (thanksgiving meal fund)

    $1,000
  47. Friends of Child Advocacy ProgramJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $1,000
  48. Jamestown Center City Development CorpJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $1,000
  49. The Salvation ArmyJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $1,000
  50. Exponent PhilanthropyWashington, DC

    2025 membership dues

    $850
  51. Chautauqua Lake Association IncLakewood, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $750
  52. Lawson Boating Heritage CenterBemus Point, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $750
  53. Zion Covenant ChurchJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants(ministers discretionary fund)

    $750
  54. Allegheny Highlands Council IncFalconer, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $500
  55. Bemus Point United Methodist ChurchBemus Point, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants(royal family kids camp)

    $500
  56. Chautauqua Area Habitat for HumanityMayville, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $500
  57. Chautauqua Co Humane SocietyJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $500
  58. Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative CareLakewood, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $500
  59. Chautauqua Sports Hall of FameJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $500
  60. Wca Foundation IncJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $500
  61. Buffalo-Toronto Public MediaBuffalo, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $400
  62. Camp Gross Foundation IncCassadaga, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $250
  63. Chautauqua Watershed ConservancyLakewood, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $250
  64. Children's Collaborative SolutionJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $250
  65. Cornell Cooperative ExtensionJamestown, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $250
  66. Lakewood Memorial LibraryLakewood, NY

    Director/staff unrestricted grants

    $250

Approved for future payment

4 grants

Approved in 2025 and not yet paid.

  1. Jamestown Community College FoundationJamestown, NY

    Jcc/ymca community wellness center - funds for design phasejcc/ymca community wellness center - project costs

    $900,000
  2. Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown AreaFalconer, NY

    Vehicle replacement project

    $37,500
  3. Feedmore WnyBuffalo, NY

    Operating support for jamestown facilitycapital support for new buffalo facility

    $25,000
  4. The Relief Zone IncFrewsburg, NY

    Operating support

    $16,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Arts and culture5 grants $348,30038% of the total
  2. Education4 grants $237,99526% of the total
  3. Youth development2 grants $92,00010% of the total
  4. Community development2 grants $51,0006% of the total
  5. Mental health1 grant $50,7506% of the total
  6. Human services2 grants $45,5005% of the total
  7. 5 other causes12 grants $93,42610% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. New York65 grants $2,274,997
  2. District of Columbia1 grant $850

Officers, directors and trustees

9 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Alexis T SingletonPRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Kelly A DawsonVICE-PRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Raymond J FashanoVICE-PRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Linda SwansonFORMER-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hours 32Pay $63,105
  • Thomas M BeckerVICE-PRESIDENT Hours 1Pay $0
  • Tariq Khan MDTREASURER Hours 1Pay $0
  • Hans P AuerSECRETARY Hours 1Pay $0
  • Ann AbdellaDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Leigh J RovegnoEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hours 32Pay $51,000

The return

More foundations

Similar foundations

Same main cause (arts and culture), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. Hultquist Foundation IncJamestown, NY 22 grants Accepts applications $925,029 giving
  2. Mrs Giles Whiting FoundationNew York, NY 78 grants Accepts applications $2,273,501 giving
  3. Samuel H Kress FoundationNew York, NY 87 grants Accepts applications $2,265,113 giving
  4. The Hermine and David Heller FoundationNew York, NY 20 grants Preselected only $2,265,000 giving
  5. The John and Barbara Vogelstein FDNNew York, NY 29 grants Preselected only $2,261,772 giving