A legacy of philanthropy

The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation provides funding in support of the arts, education, youth, health care, and the environment throughout southern Chautauqua County, New York

From our modest beginnings in 1948, when just $300 was given away, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation now grants between $1.7 and $2.2 million annually. Since then, we have awarded over $59 million to local organizations. Our mission is to continue the legacy of the Ralph C. Sheldon family through perpetuation of philanthropy. We devote financial assistance to advance the physical, educational, and cultural well-being of the people in southern Chautauqua County, New York—and by so doing, we honor the memory of our founders, Isabella M. Sheldon and her husband, Ralph C. Sheldon.

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Helping those who do good throughout Southern Chautauqua County

A map of Chautauqua County showing the grantmaking boundaries of the Ralph C Sheldon Foundation

Funding Opportunities

Traditional Grants

Traditional grants represent our most common avenue of funding and are awarded to organizations working in charity, healthcare, education, youth, arts & humanities, or the environment. Applications are submitted online and followed up with a site visit or meeting. Grants are applied for and awarded on a quarterly basis.

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Strategic Alliance & Partnership Grants

A unique avenue of funding that encourages non-profits to reimagine their work through collaboration, partnerships, or mergers with other non-profits. Applicants submit an online letter of intent and, upon successful review, are invited to submit an online application. Grants are applied for and awarded on a rolling basis.

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Latest News

We proudly support the work of non-profit organizations throughout Southern Chautauqua County. Stay up-to-date on our most recent awards, learn about upcoming deadlines, and find out about new opportunities.

Featured

Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance receives a $500,000 grant for the construction of the Jefferson Project’s Tributary Monitoring Stations

2023 Grants Breakdown

Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation receives a $300,000 stabilization grant from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you interested in seeking support from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation? Get the answers to our most frequently asked questions below. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.

We meet and disburse grant funding three times per year:
Meeting: First Quarter of the Year
Application Deadline: December 1
Meeting: May
Application Deadline: March 1
Meeting: October/November
Application Deadline: August 1
The Foundation accepts grant applications for requests ranging from several hundred dollars to millions of dollars. An average size grant would be in the $25,000-$50,000 range. We award between $1.8 million and $2.2 million each year.
Yes. Often large capital campaign grants are awarded over a number of years. Not-for-profit organizations who are stable organizations and have proven that they are capable of managing past grant awards from the Foundation may be considered for a multi-year grant award.
Yes. Whether the Board of Directors will immediately consider the request is determined on a case-by-case basis. If we are unable to accommodate your request on an emergency basis, and you are an eligible grantee, the Foundation will consider your grant request at the next scheduled Board of Directors’ meeting.
We do not fund loans or grants to individuals, scholarships, start-up funding for businesses, political candidates or lobbying, scientific research, or endowments.
Since our inception, we have participated in the capital campaigns of the major institutions in Southern Chautauqua County. These include: Chautauqua Institution, The Fenton History Center, the Audubon Community Nature Center, Jamestown Community College, the Northwest Bank Ice Arena, the James Prendergast Library, the National Comedy Center, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, and the Robert H. Jackson Center. We have also contributed to capital improvements at the Boy Scout’s Headquarters and Camp Merz, the Girl Scout Headquarters and Camp Timbercrest, YMCA facilities including Camp Onyasha, the YWCA facilities and UPMC Chautauqua (formerly WCA Hospital). We regularly support the the United Way along with many of its affiliated organizations. We are known for our support of many youth agencies. We also heavily supports the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance.
We are located on Main Street in downtown Jamestown, New York. You’ll find us near the corner of 3rd Street and Main Street next to Northwest Bank.