RALPH C SHELDON FOUNDATION INC

JAMESTOWN, NY · EIN 166030502 · Form 990PF · FY2025 · Medium ($1M-$10M)

revenue

$2.6M

expenses

$350K

net assets

$11.2M

employees

—

profile · synthesized from sources

RALPH C SHELDON FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Jamestown, NY, that provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving Chautauqua County and surrounding areas. The foundation supports a range of community initiatives including mental health services, youth and adult wellness, arts and culture, watershed management, and education. Grants are primarily unrestricted and awarded to local institutions and service providers.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Program Support Grants

Funding for specific initiatives such as youth and adult wellness, arts programs, watershed projects, and community education

Unrestricted Grants

General operating support provided to local nonprofits including United Way, YWCA, YMCA, and Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County

activities · 8 groups

What they do

Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
- Funding United Way campaigns
  
  Supports the United Way of Southern Chaut Co through unrestricted grants for its 2025 campaign.
Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Funding YMCA youth, adult access, and wellness programs
  
  Provides funding to the YMCA for youth and adult access programs and the Onyahsa Nurses Cabin program, including support for the JCC/YMCA Community Wellness Center in partnership with Jamestown Community College.
Women's Rights and Empowerment Grants 1 activity
- Funding YWCA programs and initiatives
  
  Provides unrestricted grants to the YWCA for operating support and the Runaway Slave Statue Replacement project.
Literacy Program Funding 1 activity
- Funding community learning and education programs
  
  Supports the Jamestown Community Learning Council through program support grants.
Art Museum Funding and Support 1 activity
- Funding cultural and community institution operations and projects
  
  Provides unrestricted grants to support operations and specific projects at cultural and community institutions, including the Chautauqua Institution (Bellinger Hall renovation), the National Comedy Center, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, and Infinity Performing Arts Program Inc.
Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding lake and watershed management projects
  
  Funds the Chaut Lake & Watershed Management Alliance for the 2025 lake and watershed projects through unrestricted grants.
General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding local running and recreational programs
  
  Provides unrestricted grants to Chautauqua Striders for program support.
Mental Health Research and Services Funding 1 activity
- Funding mental health services and operations
  
  Supports the Mental Health Association in Chaut Co through unrestricted grants for operating support.

financials · form 990PF · fy2025

revenue

Total revenue$2.64M

Contributions & grants$1.97M75%

Program service revenue——

Investment income$419K16%

Other revenue$246K

expenses

Total expenses$350K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits$114K

Grants paid out$2.28M

balance sheet

Total assets$11.17M

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$11.17M

6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -2.2%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
LINDA SWANSON	FORMER-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	32	$71K
LEIGH J ROVEGNO	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	32	$56K

board members · 1

ANN ABDELLA — DIRECTOR

relationships · 12

Who they work with

CHAUT LAKE & WATERSHED MGMT ALLIANCE Partner — Funded for 2025 lake and watershed projects through unrestricted grants.
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION Partner — Funded for Bellinger Hall renovation and annual fund drive through unrestricted grants.
CHAUTAUQUA STRIDERS Partner — Funded for program support through unrestricted grants.
INFINITY PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM INC Partner — Funded for operating and program expenses through unrestricted grants.
JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Partner — Funded for the JCC/YMCA Community Wellness Center.
JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY LEARNING COUNCIL Partner — Funded for program support.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN CHAUT CO Partner — Funded for operating support through unrestricted grants.
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER Partner — Funded for operating support through unrestricted grants.
REG LENNA CENTER FOR THE ARTS Partner — Funded for operating support through unrestricted grants.
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN CHAUT CO Partner — Funded for 2025 campaign through unrestricted grants.
YMCA Partner — Funded for youth and adult access and Onyahsa Nurses Cabin programs through unrestricted grants.
YWCA Partner — Funded for operating support and Runaway Slave Statue Replacement project through unrestricted grants.