Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Jamestown, New York. It provides financial support to organizations serving southern Chautauqua County, with stated areas of focus including the arts, education, the environment, health and human resources, and youth.
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc gave $2.3M across 66 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in New York. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,275,847
- -7.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 66
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,483
- -4.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $11,166,801
- +0.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (4 of 66, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
- Invitation Only
-
For traditional grants over $2,500, submit an online LOI six weeks before a deadline, followed by an online application if invited. Requests of $2,500 or less may be submitted on a rolling basis by contacting the foundation. The strategic partnership program has a separate rolling LOI process, with full applications by invitation. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its filing lists geographical restrictions to southern Chautauqua County, New York.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists traditional grant deadlines of November 1, March 1, and August 1, with LOIs due six weeks beforehand.
- Deadline
- The website lists traditional grant deadlines of November 1, March 1, and August 1, with LOIs due six weeks beforehand.
- Contact
Application contact: Leigh J Rovegno
Mailing address: 217 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701
Phone: (716) 664-9890
Website: https://rcsheldonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
Who Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chaut Lake & Watershed Mgmt Alliance ($268K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
357 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 286 grants of 357 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it supports organizations throughout southern Chautauqua County, New York. All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 66 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 66 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 310% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2020) to $3.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 66 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | 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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,166,801 | $2,637,624 | $2,625,942 | $2,275,847 | 66 | $2,445,475 | $483,804 | $789,664 |
| 2024 | $11,155,022 | $2,697,731 | $2,769,484 | $2,447,879 | 68 | $2,606,794 | $791,690 | $745,842 |
| 2023 | $11,226,604 | $2,361,430 | $3,326,532 | $3,029,422 | 72 | $3,177,604 | $400,025 | $718,105 |
| 2022 | $12,191,633 | $2,901,531 | $2,596,482 | $2,263,318 | 75 | $2,413,018 | $279,597 | $737,056 |
| 2021 | $11,896,585 | $3,335,181 | $2,493,959 | $2,205,853 | 76 | $2,347,084 | $1,574,738 | $812,457 |
| 2020 | $11,062,511 | $2,560,429 | $2,215,826 | $1,912,030 | 66 | — | $752,267 | $673,850 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $790K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation funds both operating and capital needs. Its focus areas are the arts, education, the environment, health and human resources, and youth.
Its grantees include organizations whose missions span these areas. For example, Chautauqua Striders says it mentors and guides youth through education, advocacy, and athletics; the James Prendergast Library Association says it provides library services to Jamestown residents; and the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance works on lake and watershed projects, as reflected in its 2025 grant purpose. The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts describes its work as presenting a range of arts and cultural events in Jamestown.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 66 grants totaling $2,275,847. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $268,166, with a median of $15,000. The largest awards included $268,166 to the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance for lake and watershed projects; $215,750 to Chautauqua Institution, including support for a Bellinger Hall renovation project and its annual fund; and $155,300 to United Way of Southern Chautauqua County for its 2025 campaign. Other large awards included $125,900 to YWCA of Jamestown, $125,500 to the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County, and $102,000 each to the National Comedy Center and YMCA of Jamestown.
The foundation’s website describes a traditional grant process for requests over $2,500: submit an online letter of intent (LOI) six weeks before a grant deadline; reviewed LOIs proceed to an online application, followed by a site visit by the executive director. Requests of $2,500 or less may be submitted on a rolling basis for a specific need and are reviewed by the executive director. The foundation states an annual award range of $100 to $500,000; requests above $500,000 may be considered but would be divided into separate annual installments.
The Strategic Partnership and Restructuring Grant Program accepts LOIs on a rolling basis. A full application is by invitation after LOI review. The program supports nonprofit organizations serving southern Chautauqua County that are exploring or carrying out partnerships or restructuring. The foundation’s website lists activities such as joint programming, shared facilities, mergers, and administrative consolidation. Funds may support technical assistance, consultation, facilitation, legal and fiscal review, and implementation costs; they may not be used for capital expenses related to equipment or facility renovations for a partnership or restructuring.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Leigh J. Rovegno as executive director. Listed officers and directors also include Kelly A. Dawson and Raymond J. Fashano, vice-presidents; Thomas M. Becker, vice-president; Tariq Khan, treasurer; Hans P. Auer, secretary; Ann Abdella, director; and Linda Swanson, former executive director.
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc is led by Leigh J. Rovegno, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 2 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Leigh J. Rovegno
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
32 hrs/week
$51K (2025)
Ann Abdella
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Swanson
Former-Executive Director
Executive Director → Former-Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$121K (2020) → $63K (2025)
Kelly A. Dawson
Vice President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raymond J. Fashano
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas M. Becker
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tariq Khan MD
Treasurer
Assisstant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hans P. Auer
Secretary
Assistant Treasurer → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Betsy Shults (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Barclay O. Wellman (2020–2023) — Director Emeritus
- Former: Kelly A. Martin (2023) — Vice President
- Former: Peter B. Sullivan (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Mark I. Hampton (2020) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $63K, to Linda Swanson (Former-Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc
How much does Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc give each year?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc gave $2.3M across 66 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.4M across 68 grants.
What is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $34,483, across 66 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc that year got $21K on average.
Where does Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc give grants?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jamestown, NY (39 grants), Lakewood, NY (5 grants), Buffalo, NY (3 grants) and Bemus Point, NY (3 grants).
Does Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 79% of Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 66) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Chaut Lake & Watershed Mgmt Alliance ($268,166), Chautauqua Institution ($215,750) and United Way of Southern Chaut CO ($155,300), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc reported $11.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $790K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation funds both operating and capital needs. Its focus areas are the arts, education, the environment, health and human resources, and youth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc?
For traditional grants over $2,500, submit an online LOI six weeks before a deadline, followed by an online application if invited. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's EIN?
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-6030502. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ralph-c-sheldon-foundation-inc-morg_f1b77c7ad90546cd960f846c45e8c163
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_166030502_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ralph-c-sheldon-foundation-inc-morg_f1b77c7ad90546cd960f846c45e8c163},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc'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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