Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System
The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System is a cooperative public library system based in Jamestown, New York. Founded in 1960, it serves 36 member libraries across Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties and supports public library services through shared resources, professional services, and grants to member libraries.
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System at a glance
In short: Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System gave $578K across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in New York. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $577,611
- +17.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,045
- +17.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,586
- Total assets
- $1,489,632
- -4.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System
- Review Cycle
- September 12, 2026, for applications due to CCLS for review under the listed construction-grant schedule.
- Deadline
- September 12, 2026, for applications due to CCLS for review under the listed construction-grant schedule.
- Contact
Mailing address: 106 West Fifth Street, Jamestown, NY 14701
Phone: (716) 664-6675
Website: https://cclsny.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was James Prendergast Library ($125K). Together the top 10 received $346K.
Grant Size Distribution
180 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 170 grants of 180 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CCLS serves Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties in New York, a two-county area of 2,415 square miles. Its 36 member libraries serve communities ranging up to 28,712 people; the majority serve populations under 4,000. The 2024 grants listed were all to New York recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 36 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $294K (2019) to $590K (2022). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $578K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| James Prendergast Library Jamestown, NY | Member Library | $125,191 |
| Olean Public Library Olean, NY | Member Library | $74,352 |
| Randolph Free Library Randolph, NY | Member Library | $28,373 |
| Blount Library Frankinville, NY | Member Library | $28,273 |
| Ellington Farman Library Ellington, NY | Member Library | $18,201 |
| Gowanda Free Library Gowanda, NY | Member Library | $18,027 |
| Lakewood Memorial Library Lakewood, NY | Member Library | $14,466 |
| Dunkirk Public Library Dunkirk, NY | Member Library | $14,062 |
| Ahira Hall Memorial Library Brocton, NY | Member Library | $13,297 |
| Darwin R Barker Library Fredonia, NY | Member Library | $11,944 |
Ready to take the next step with Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,489,632 | $1,706,659 | $1,751,862 | $577,611 | 36 | $50,565 |
| 2023 | $1,561,785 | $1,525,903 | $1,614,230 | $492,538 | 36 | $50,094 |
| 2022 | $1,636,707 | $1,592,993 | $1,639,639 | $589,511 | 36 | $10,852 |
| 2021 | $1,686,392 | $1,986,396 | $1,604,369 | $567,404 | 36 | $2,269 |
| 2020 | $1,437,937 | $1,323,163 | $1,492,644 | $454,349 | 36 | $4,959 |
| 2019 | $1,450,629 | $1,421,140 | $1,407,492 | $294,393 | 16 | $9,682 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CCLS’s mission is to foster, strengthen, and improve public library services in its two-county service area. Its grants are awarded only to system member libraries. The filing describes both pass-through grants, reported in member libraries’ New York State annual reports, and competitive grants, which require final reports.
Grantee missions illustrate the kinds of libraries supported. Olean Public Library says it assists people with educational, informational, and recreational needs; Gowanda Free Library says it provides free library services to its area. Portville Free Library describes providing reading materials in print and electronic forms to the public, while Patterson Library says it advances quality of life in Westfield through access to information and materials responsive to user wants and needs.
Grantmaking
All reported grant dollars went to recipients in New York, and the listed grants were designated for member libraries.
The largest reported grants included $123,683 to James Prendergast Library in Jamestown and $72,851 to Olean Public Library. Other notable recipients were Randolph Free Library ($26,899), Blount Library ($26,037), Ellington Farman Library ($15,965), and Gowanda Free Library ($15,791).
CCLS also supports member libraries in pursuing New York State library construction aid. Its construction-grant information describes an application process involving an intent to apply, CCLS review, and submission to the state. The listed eligibility is limited to CCLS member libraries. The construction aid is state-funded and administered through the New York State Department of Labor.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Janice Dekoff as Executive Director; Donald Watkins as President; Donald Butler as Vice President; Reed McElfresh as Treasurer; and Nancy Padak as Secretary. It also lists Paul Benson, Sandy Blood, Steve Crowley, Barbara Kittle, and Ned Lindstrom as trustees. CCLS states that system trustees are elected by member-library trustees at an annual meeting held in October, with terms beginning January 1 following the election.
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System is led by Donald Watkins, President on every filing since 2022; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Donald Watkins
President
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Kittle
Trustee
President → Trustee & President E, 2022
Trustee & President E → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Benson
Trustee Thr
Trustee & Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Trustee Thr, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ned Lindstrom
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Blood
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Crowley
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cody Whitton
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice Dekoff
Executive Di
Exe Director → Executive Di, 2020
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$79K (2019) → $93K (2024)
Donald Butler
Vice President
Trustee → Trustee & Vice President B, 2022
Trustee & Vice President B → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Padak
Secretary
Secretary → Trustee & Secretary, 2022
Trustee & Secretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reed McElfresh
Treasurer
Trustee & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Don Watkins (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Evon Lloyd (2021) — Trustee Thr
- Former: Linda Edstrom (2019–2020) — Trustee Thr
- Former: Lynn Warner (2019–2020) — Trustee Thr
- Former: Robert Lanza (2019–2020) — Trustee Thr
- Former: Thom Torrey (2020) — Trustee Thr
- Former: Ronda Pollock (2019) — Trustee Thr
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $93K, to Janice Dekoff (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System
How much does Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System give each year?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System gave $578K across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $493K across 36 grants.
What is Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's typical grant size?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's median grant in 2024 was $9,586, and its average grant was $16,045, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System give grants?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jamestown, NY (3 grants) and Salamanca, NY (2 grants).
Does Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Member Library" (36 grants).
Who are Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's largest grantees?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's largest 2024 grantees include James Prendergast Library ($125,191), Olean Public Library ($74,352) and Randolph Free Library ($28,373), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What does Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System fund?
CCLS’s mission is to foster, strengthen, and improve public library services in its two-county service area. Its grants are awarded only to system member libraries. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cclsny.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's EIN?
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-0849330. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chautauqua-cattaraugus-library-system-morg_b3c0316d38a4472699d93dcb5cdde185
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_160849330_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chautauqua-cattaraugus-library-system-morg_b3c0316d38a4472699d93dcb5cdde185},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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