Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation Grant Program

The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation Grant Program supports organizations in southern Chautauqua County, NY, focusing on the arts, education, environment, health, and youth. Grants range from $100 to $500,000, with larger requests considered in annual installments. Eligibility requires 501(c)(3) status or government/religious affiliation serving the community. Ineligible are grants for individuals, scholarships, and expenses incurred before a funding decision. The foundation promotes sustainability, adaptability, and intergenerational impact.

NOTE: Requests that are at or below $2,500 total do not require a formal Letter of Intent.  Grant requests for more than $2,500 require a letter of interest (LOI) to be submitted six weeks prior to each grant deadline.
Background
The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation provides financial support to organizations throughout southern Chautauqua County, New York with a focus on
the arts, education, the environment, health and human resources, and youth.
Sheldon and her husband, Ralph C. Sheldon.
The Foundation’s goal is to promote:

• Sustainability, Adaptability, and ResilienceIntergenerational Impact Innovation
• Types of Support
• OperatingCapital (renovation, construction, equipment, capital campaigns)
• Grant Range
• Annual grant range per organization: $100 to $500,000

The Foundation will consider grant requests for more than $500,000, but larger grants will be divided into separate annual installments. An average size grant is in the $25,000-$50,000 range.

Eligibility

501(c)(3) status is needed.Geographic Area: Restricted to Southern Chautauqua CountyEligibility501(c)3 non-profit status is required unless it is a government or religious organization.The Sheldon Foundation only funds religious organizations if the program or project serves the greater community.

Ineligibility

The Sheldon Foundation does not fund the following: grants to individuals, scholarships, start-up funding for businesses, political candidates or lobbying, scientific research, or endowments.Expenses that have already occurred or that will occur before a funding decision is made are not eligible.Organizations that do not exist within and or directly serve Southern Chautauqua County are not eligible.