Strategic Partnership and Restructuring Grant Program

The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation offers the Strategic Partnership and Restructuring Grant Program to support non-profit organizations in southern Chautauqua County. This initiative encourages collaboration, partnerships, and restructuring efforts, providing funding for assessments, negotiations, and implementation of strategic partnerships. Eligible activities include joint programming and mergers. The program is independent of the foundation's traditional grants and allows applicants to apply to multiple programs in a year.

NOTE: Strategic Partnership and Restructuring Grant Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Submit the online Letter of Intent (LOI) – there will be a full review of the LOI
Submit the full Application (by invitation only) – award decisions being made promptly
The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation has established a grant program to encourage Not-for-Profit Organizations, who deliver programming in southern Chautauqua County, to reimagine their work through collaboration, partnerships and even merger and acquisition with other not-for-profit organizations. This grant program will award funding to support boards and staff in exploring, negotiating, and executing strategic partnerships or corporate restructuring between two or more organizations.
This grant program is independent of the traditional quarterly grant program of the Sheldon Foundation. Applicants may apply to one or both Sheldon grant programs in any given year. Co-applicants shall choose one organization that will serve as the lead applicant for the purpose of submitting the grant application and acting as the fiduciary for any funds awarded.

Eligibility

What Activities Will be Funded:This grant will fund activities like assessment, exploration, feasibility, negotiation, and implementation for:Partnerships- Joint Programming, Joint Earned Income Ventures, Administration Consolidation, Shared Facilities, Public/Private partnerships
Strategic Restructuring- Mergers, Parent-Subsidiary Structures, Joint Venture Corporations, Management Service Organizations, Dissolutions Grant Funds can be used for:Technical Assistance, Consultation, Facilitation, Legal and Fiscal review and support for Pre-Negotiation, Negotiation and developing Implementation Plans.
Expenses associated with the implementation of a new Partnership or organizational restructuring.

Ineligibility

Grant Funds cannot be used for:Capital Expenses for equipment or facility renovations to implement a partnership or restructured organization(s). Please apply to our quarterly traditional grant program for these expenses.