Chautauqua County > Jamestown

County: Chautauqua

Population: 28,712


One tradition says the community was named after its founder, James Prendergast; another says it was named for Jamestown, VA.


More than three decades after her death, the city’s most famous native is still helping her hometown. Comedian and actress Lucille Ball was born here in 1911. Jamestown’s community theatre is named for her, and the National Comedy Center encompasses the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.

Another former resident who keeps on giving is artist-naturalist Roger Tory Peterson, who died in 1996. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute, which preserves his work, is a regular recipient of foundation support.

The Gebbie Foundation is a major local funder, focusing its grants on downtown revitalization. The foundation was started in 1964 by daughters of Frank Gebbie,  founder of the Mohawk Condensed Milk Company.


School districts: Jamestown City School District
Libraries: James Prendergast Library Association

Hospitals: Womans Christian Association Hospital

Emergency services: Chautauqua County Ambulance Service, Jamestown Fire Department

Fraternal organizations: American Legion, Elks, Lions, Masons, Moose, VFW, Zonta

Not-for-profit cemeteries: Conewango Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery, Lakeview Cemetery, Levant Cemetery, Maple Grove Cemetery

Change agents:

Grants to local organizations have funded urban renewal, theater improvements, food security, ice center improvements, and other initiatives.


Recent grants:
GRANT KEY:


100 Member Club
  Buffalo Bills Foundation  -  Orchard Park, NY  -  $1,000  (2023)

A Children's Place
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $25,000  (2023)

American Red Cross
  Allegany County United Way  -  Wellsville, NY  -  $13,000  (2023)

American Red Cross
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $25,000  (2023)

Audubon Community Nature Center
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $20,000  (2023)

Audubon Community Nature Center
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $12,000  (2023)

Audubon Community Nature Center
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $20,000  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $45,000  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $17,000  (2024)

Boys & Girls Club
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $17,000  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $12,000  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $40,000  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  R R & Clara J Gould Foundation  -  Milwaukee, WI  -  $1,340  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $37,000  (2023)

Boys & Girls Club
  Wright Lucile Miller Trust  -  Wilmington, DE  -  $104,995  (2023)

Bread of Life
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $1,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Blind Association
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $2,000  (2023)

Chautauqua County Blind Association
  William B. & Juliet J. Anderson Rosch Charitable Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $22,181  (2023)

Chautauqua County Humane Society
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $3,000  (2023)

Chautauqua County Humane Society
  Ruth Gutekunst Trust  -  Pennington, NJ  -  $14,795  (2023)

Chautauqua County Humane Society
  Ruth P Wightman Charitable Trust  -  Pittsburgh, PA  -  $52,433  (2023)

Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $75,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
  Bank of America Charitable Foundation  -  Charlotte, NC  -  $2,500  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $5,500  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $31,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $500,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
  Wake Family Charitable Foundation  -  Pennington, NJ  -  $45,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $2,500  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation
  Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation  -  Detroit, MI  -  $350,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation
  Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation  -  Detroit, MI  -  $158,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $180,000  (2024)

Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $40,000  (2024)

Chautauqua Striders
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $35,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Striders
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $20,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Striders
  Mother Cabrini Health Foundation  -  New York, NY  -  $100,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Striders
  Western New York Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $12,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy
  Bellowe Family Foundation  -  Montecito, CA  -  $1,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy
  Blanchard Family Foundation  -  Wilmington, DE  -  $4,000  (2023)

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy
  Crittenden Foundation  -  Nashville, TN  -  $1,000  (2023)

Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System
  New York Department of Education  -  Albany, NY  -  $797,344  (2023)

Christian Radio for Russia
  Burke Family Charitable Foundation  -  Wilmington, DE  -  $2,000  (2023)

Citizens Opportunity for Development & Equality
  NYS Homes and Community Renewal  -  Albany, NY  -  $75,000  (2024)

Citizens Opportunity for Development & Equality
  NYS Homes and Community Renewal  -  Albany, NY  -  $75,000  (2024)

City of Jamestown
  Federal Emergency Management Agency  -  Washington, DC  -  $284,291  (2023)

City of Jamestown
  NYS revenue sharing (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities)  -  Albany, NY  -  $4,572,280  (2023)

City of Jamestown
  U.S. Department of Justice  -  Washington, DC  -  $20,694  (2023)

City of Jamestown Police Department
  NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services  -  Albany, NY  -  $285,400  (2024)

City of Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $70,000  (2023)

Conduit Ministry
  Riecker Charitable Foundation  -  Wilmington, DE  -  $3,000  (2023)

Cornell Cooperative Extension
  Western New York Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)

Dibert Boys and Girls Club
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $37,000  (2023)

Dream It Do It
  Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation  -  Detroit, MI  -  $400,000  (2023)

Family Service of the Chautauqua Region
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $10,000  (2023)

Fenton History Center
  Gustafson-Lanphere Charitable-Tr  -  Pittsburgh, PA  -  $4,426  (2023)

Filling the Gap
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)

First Covenant Church
  William B. & Juliet J. Anderson Rosch Charitable Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $16,368  (2023)

First Lutheran Church
  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation  -  Princeton, NJ  -  $1,000  (2023)

First Presbyterian Church
  Snow Family Foundation  -  Marathon, FL  -  $2,500  (2023)

Friends of the Chautauqua County Child Advocacy Program
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $33,728  (2024)

Fund for the Arts of Chautauqua County
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $6,000  (2023)

Fund for the Arts of Chautauqua County
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $17,000  (2023)

Grow Jamestown
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $10,000  (2024)

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $25,000  (2023)

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
  Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust  -  West Palm Beach, FL  -  $20,000  (2023)

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $20,000  (2023)

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $15,451  (2023)

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $25,000  (2024)

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $30,000  (2023)

Italian-American Charity Golf Association
  Dan and Terese Heintzelman Family Fnd  -  Park City, UT  -  $2,500  (2023)

James Prendergast Library
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $27,250  (2023)

James Prendergast Library
  Gustafson-Lanphere Charitable-Tr  -  Pittsburgh, PA  -  $4,426  (2023)

James Prendergast Library
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $19,000  (2023)

Jamestown
  NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets  -  Albany, NY  -  $423,403  (2023)

Jamestown
  NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets  -  Albany, NY  -  $38,170  (2023)

Jamestown
  NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets  -  Albany, NY  -  $104,737  (2023)

Jamestown
  NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets  -  Albany, NY  -  $308,571  (2023)

Jamestown
  NYS Department of Environmental Conservation  -  Albany, NY  -  $432,555  (2023)

Jamestown
  Strategic Workforce Development  -  Albany, NY  -  $177,590  (2024)

Jamestown
  Strategic Workforce Development  -  Albany, NY  -  $860,100  (2024)

Jamestown
  Strategic Workforce Development  -  Albany, NY  -  $362,500  (2024)

Jamestown
  Strategic Workforce Development  -  Albany, NY  -  $168,950  (2024)

Jamestown Center City Development Corp.
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $2,008,828  (2023)

Jamestown Center City Development Corp.
  John R. Oishei Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $125,000  (2023)

Jamestown Center City Development Corp.
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $450,000  (2024)

Jamestown Center City Development Corp.
  Riecker Charitable Foundation  -  Wilmington, DE  -  $5,000  (2023)

Jamestown City School District
  Gustafson-Lanphere Charitable-Tr  -  Pittsburgh, PA  -  $4,426  (2023)

Jamestown City School District
  Riecker Charitable Foundation  -  Wilmington, DE  -  $10,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Cutco Foundation  -  Olean, NY  -  $100,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Cutco Foundation  -  Olean, NY  -  $2,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Gustafson-Lanphere Charitable-Tr  -  Pittsburgh, PA  -  $4,426  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $10,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $10,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $200,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  JP Morgan Chase Foundation  -  New York, NY  -  $3,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Mother Cabrini Health Foundation  -  New York, NY  -  $104,377  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Moulton Harold E Scholarship Fund 18362340  -  Ithaca, NY  -  $2,500  (2023)

Jamestown Community College
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $3,000,000  (2024)

Jamestown Community Learning Council
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $20,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community Learning Council
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $10,000  (2023)

Jamestown Community Learning Council
  Mother Cabrini Health Foundation  -  New York, NY  -  $104,377  (2023)

Jamestown Farmers Market
  Buffalo Bills Foundation  -  Orchard Park, NY  -  $4,877  (2023)

Jamestown Fire Department
  Edgerley Family Foundation  -  Overland Park, KS  -  $5,000  (2023)

Jamestown Public Market
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $10,000  (2023)

Jamestown Renaissance
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $397,000  (2023)

Jamestown Renaissance
  Preservation League of New York State  -  Albany, NY  -  $20,000  (2024)

Jamestown YMCA
  Alvan G & Carol J Lampke Family Foundation  -  Eastham, MA  -  $2,000  (2023)

Jamestown YMCA
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $75,060  (2023)

Jamestown YMCA
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $28,700  (2023)

Jamestown YMCA
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $63,000  (2023)

Jamestown YMCA
  Snow Family Foundation  -  Marathon, FL  -  $1,000  (2023)

Jamestown YMCA
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $3,000  (2023)

Jamestown YMCA
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)

Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown
  Philo & Sarah Blaisdell Foundation  -  Bradford, PA  -  $3,000  (2023)

Lucy Desi Museum
  Emanuel Bachmann Foundation  -  Los Angeles, CA  -  $1,250  (2023)

Lutheran Social Services
  Edwardson Family Foundation  -  Boca Grande, FL  -  $200,000  (2023)

Lutheran Social Services
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $150,000  (2023)

Lutheran Social Services
  Tw M Hultquist fbo Eo Hultquist Inf  -  New York, NY  -  $49,421  (2023)

Lutheran Social Services
  William B. & Juliet J. Anderson Rosch Charitable Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $266,000  (2023)

Meals on Wheels Jamestown Area
  Western New York Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)

Mental Health Association
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $35,000  (2023)

National Comedy Center
  Bellowe Family Foundation  -  Montecito, CA  -  $1,000  (2023)

National Comedy Center
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $2,500  (2023)

National Comedy Center
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $468,401  (2023)

National Comedy Center
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $490,000  (2023)

National Comedy Center
  Snow Family Foundation  -  Marathon, FL  -  $2,000  (2023)

Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation
  Isabella M Sheldon Trust  -  Chicago, IL  -  $1,812,477  (2023)

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $52,500  (2023)

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $20,000  (2023)

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $25,000  (2024)

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $25,000  (2023)

Resource Center
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $58,750  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  Bellowe Family Foundation  -  Montecito, CA  -  $3,500  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  Bruce & Susan Neckers Foundation  -  Grand Rapids, MI  -  $5,000  (2024)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $10,000  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  Crittenden Foundation  -  Nashville, TN  -  $2,000  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $35,000  (2024)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $40,000  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  Joseph & Anna Gartner Foundation  -  Williamsville, NY  -  $1,000  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  OSC Charitable Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $1,000  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  Western New York Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $50,000  (2023)

Robert H. Jackson Center
  William E & Ann L Swan Foundation  -  Clarence, NY  -  $50,000  (2023)

Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $20,000  (2023)

Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $15,000  (2023)

Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  McBrier Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $1,000  (2023)

Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $25,000  (2024)

Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  New York State Council on the Arts  -  New York, NY  -  $30,000  (2023)

Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  Wolf Creek Charitable Foundation  -  West Conshohocken, PA  -  $5,000  (2023)

Salvation Army
  William B. & Juliet J. Anderson Rosch Charitable Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $9,180  (2023)

St. Luke's Church Youth Ministry
  R R & Clara J Gould Foundation  -  Milwaukee, WI  -  $1,170  (2023)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
  Eisner Foundation  -  Beverly Hills, CA  -  $10,000  (2023)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
  Empire State Development  -  Albany, NY  -  $500,000  (2025)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
  Norton L Peck and Barbara B Peck Family Foundation  -  Tualatin, OR  -  $5,500  (2023)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $500,000  (2024)

St. Susan Center
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $2,000  (2023)

St. Susan Center
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $40,000  (2024)

St. Susan Center
  David P Brody Charitable Trust  -  Tacoma, WA  -  $28,000  (2023)

St. Susan Center
  Empire State Development  -  Albany, NY  -  $100,000  (2025)

St. Susan Center
  Gustafson-Lanphere Charitable-Tr  -  Pittsburgh, PA  -  $4,426  (2023)

St. Susan Center
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $20,000  (2023)

St. Susan Center
  Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund  -  Lockport, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)

St. Susan Center
  Regional Economic Development Councils  -  Albany, NY  -  $100,000  (2024)

United Christian Advocacy Network
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $3,000  (2023)

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County
  Gebbie Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $101,000  (2023)

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County
  Hultquist Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $60,000  (2023)

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County
  Snow Family Foundation  -  Marathon, FL  -  $2,500  (2023)

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County
  Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $27,500  (2023)

UPMC Chautauqua WCA
  Kate Ashwell Trust fbo WCA  -  Norwich, NY  -  $8,137  (2023)

YMCA Camp Onyahsa
  Douglas A Hirsch & Holly S Andersen  -  West Palm Beach, FL  -  $5,000  (2023)

YWCA
  Alvan G & Carol J Lampke Family Foundation  -  Eastham, MA  -  $1,000  (2023)

YWCA
  Carnahan-Jackson Foundation  -  Erie, PA  -  $2,000  (2023)

YWCA
  Health Foundation for Central and Western NY  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)

YWCA
  Holmberg Foundation  -  Jamestown, NY  -  $12,000  (2023)

YWCA
  U.S. Department of Justice  -  Washington, DC  -  $600,000  (2023)

YWCA
  Western New York Foundation  -  Buffalo, NY  -  $5,000  (2023)


Largest nonprofits in Jamestown (by assets) include:

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
Gebbie Foundation
Nysarc
Reginald A and Elizabeth S Lenna Foundation
Jamestown Community College Foundation
National Comedy Center Operator
Jamestown Center City Development Corporation
National Comedy Center
Southern Tier Building Trades Welfare Plan
Lutheran Social Services Foundation of Upstate New York
WCA Foundation
Hultquist Foundation
Ralph C Sheldon Foundation
James Prendergast Library Association
Carnahan-Jackson Foundation
Chautauqua Resources
Waterfront Foundation
Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
IBEW Health and Welfare Benefit Trust Fund – Local Union 106
William B Anderson and Juliet J Anderson Rosch Charitable
Young Mens Christian Association Jamestown
Lake View Cemetery Association
Holmberg Foundation
Robert H Jackson Center
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers