The Lenna Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Chautauqua County, NY, with large, targeted grants that prioritize lake and watershed restoration and a notable investment in a regional Catholic university's communications program. The foundation favors sustained, project-oriented support for environmental management while also supporting higher-education capacity-building in the local community.
A defining feature of Reginald a & Elizabeth S Lenna Fdn Inc Dba Lenna Foundation is its repeated support for Chautauqua Lake watershed work, including major operating and project grants to Chautauqua Lake Watershed Managemen in Jamestown and a separate grant to Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy in Lakewood. That environmental thread sits alongside a strong commitment to Jamestown and nearby communities through arts, civic, health, and youth-serving institutions. The foundation’s largest recent award went to St Bonaventure University for the Jandouli School of Communication, showing that higher education is another important part of its portfolio. Other large grants have supported the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and Northwest Arena, indicating a preference for place-based institutions that shape local programming and infrastructure. Their giving is concentrated in western New York, with nearly all grants landing in New York recipients. Across the record, the pattern is not broad national philanthropy but sustained local support for environmental stewardship, cultural life, and community services centered on Chautauqua County.
Environmental conservation is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s portfolio. In 2025, they gave $200,000 to Chautauqua Lake Watershed Managemen for operational support, following a $225,000 project-and-programs grant in 2024 and a $266,666 operating grant in 2023. The foundation also backed habitat work through a $100,000 grant to Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy for the Fish Hawks & Steelhead Habitat Campaign. Beyond water quality, the foundation supports local civic and cultural infrastructure. It gave $150,000 to Reg Lenna Center for the Arts for operational support in 2025 and $125,000 to Jamestown Renaissance Corporation for the Northside Block Challenge, RBC 2.0 Program in 2024. In education, St Bonaventure University received $300,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025 for the Jandouli School of Communication.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,000, a median of $20,000, and a p75 of $45,000. The recent record also shows several six-figure awards, suggesting a mix of broad support and larger project commitments. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially Chautauqua Lake Watershed Managemen, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and St Bonaventure University, which points to recurring support rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals. Its grants are primarily operating, program, staffing, and capital support rather than PRIs.
$2.1M
$35.1M
$2.9M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $2K and $45K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$45K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated, large gifts with repeat funding to a primary environmental grantee (multiple grants to the same watershed organization) and one substantial single grant to a local university; geographically focused on Chautauqua County/Western New York.
Notable grantees: Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management, St. Bonaventure University
Grantmaking is tightly centered in western New York. Jamestown appears most often in the recent-grants list, with additional awards in Lakewood, Saint Bonaventure, Bemus Point, and East Aurora. Lakewood is the headquarters city, but the giving footprint reaches the broader Chautauqua County area rather than only the hometown. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 162 grants going to U.S. organizations.
The record shows support for environmental groups, arts and cultural organizations, youth and family services, healthcare-related nonprofits, and local institutions such as universities and community centers. Named examples include Chautauqua Lake watershed organizations, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, and St Bonaventure University.
Typical grants are $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $45,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger awards such as $300,000, $266,666, and multiple $100,000-plus grants.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Chautauqua Lake Watershed Managemen, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and St Bonaventure University. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-off grants.
Giving is concentrated in New York, with 98% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recent list is anchored in Jamestown, with additional grants in Lakewood, Saint Bonaventure, Bemus Point, and East Aurora.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, so its grants are directed to organizations and institutions rather than to private applicants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER | JAMESTOWN, NY | $263,000 | 2026 | INTERNSHIP, LUCYFEST, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHWEST ARENA | JAMESTEOWN, NY | $201,500 | 2026 | EXHIBITS AND FIXTURES, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHAUTAUQUA REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDAT | JAMESTOWN, NY | $159,000 | 2026 | STAR HOSPICE HOUSE, STEPHANIE FRUCELLA FUND, KOHL FAMILY FUND,CIRBUS SHCOLARSHIP, SALVATION ARMY ANEW FUND |
| REG LENNA CENTER FOR THE ARTS | JAMESTOWN, NY | $152,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CHAUTAUQUA LAKE WATERSHED MANAGEMEN | JAMESTOWN, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT & PROGRAMMING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | JAMESTOWN, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | ANEW CENTER |
| ST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY | SAINT BONAVENTURE, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | JANDOULI SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION |
| MENTAL HEALTH ASSN CHAUTAUQUA COUNT | JAMESTOWN, NY | $80,000 | 2026 | LEADERSHIP, SUCCESSION, INFRASTRUCTURE |
| INFINITY VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS | JAMESTOWN, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF WNY | JAMESTOWN, NY | $73,820 | 2026 | TIMBERCREST HVAC PROJECT |
| YMCA - JAMESTOWN | JAMESTOWN, NY | $61,500 | 2026 | CENTRAL KITCHEN, CAMP ONYAHSA SCHOLARSHIPS & CAPITAL |
| WINIFRED CRAWFORD DIBERT BG CLUB | JAMESTOWN, NY | $56,000 | 2026 | POOL REPAIRS, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY | JAMESTOWN, NY | $55,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| WESTERN NEW YORK LAND CONSERVANCY | EAST AURORA, NY | $51,000 | 2026 | ALLEGANY WILDLANDS EXPANSION, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROGER TORY PETERSON INSTITUTE | JAMESTOWN, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| YWCA OF JAMESTOWN | JAMESTOWN, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST SUSAN CENTER | JAMESTOWN, NY | $45,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| AUDUBON COMMUNITY NATURE CENTER | JAMESTOWN, NY | $44,123 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, SEPTIC SYSTEM & WELL CAP |
| CHAUTAUQUA STRIDERS | JAMESTOWN, NY | $42,500 | 2026 | MENTORING PROGRAM, SEL PROGRAM, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY LEARNING COUNCI | JAMESTOWN, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM |
| UCAN CITY MISSION | JAMESTOWN, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM | JAMESTOWN, NY | $36,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WESTERN NEW Y | AMHERST, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| FEED MORE WNY | BUFFALO, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | PARTNERS FIGHTING HUNGER CHQ, FOOD PANTRIES IN SOUTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY |
| ST LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | JAMESTOWN, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | GROW JAMESTOWN - FARMERS MARKET |
| UNITED WAY OF SO CHAUTAUQUA CNTY | JAMESTOWN, NY | $26,988 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR E | JAMESTOWN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | PHASE V, C.C. OVERLAND TRAILS |
| WESTFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDAT | WESTFIELD, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | NEW FLOORING ON 2ND FLOOR |
| MEALS ON WHEELS JAMESTOWN AREA INC | JAMESTOWN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| A CHILDREN'S PLACE | JAMESTOWN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING & FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | JAMESTOWN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY DISASTER SERVICES |
| THE RELIEF ZONE | FREWSBURG, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ROBERT H JACKSON CENTER FOR JUSTICE | JAMESTOWN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | EXECUTIVE SALARY |
| CHAUTAUQUA REGIONAL YOUTH BALLET | JAMESTOWN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ALLEGHANY HIGHLAND BOY SCOUTS OF AM | FALCONER, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | FRIENDS OF SCOUTING & CAMPERSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY HELPING HANDS | JAMESTOWN, NY | $18,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| FLUVANNA FREE LIBRARY | JAMESTOWN, NY | $15,588 | 2026 | FLOORING & SHELVING |
| MARVIN COMMUNITY HOUSE | JAMESTOWN, NY | $13,700 | 2026 | HVAC COMPLETION |
| CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER | ALLEGANY, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - SIMULATOR |
| CHAUTAUQUA REGIONAL YOUTH SYMPHONY | JAMESTOWN, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | DIRECTOR'S PAY |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH | JAMESTOWN, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | EMPOWER HER FIRST HOUSE READINESS |
| NORTH HARMONY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTE | STOW, NY | $2,553 | 2026 | HANDICAPPED DOOR PROJECT |
| ELLINGTON FARMAN LIBRARY | ELLINGTON, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | CARPETING PROJECT |
| YORKER MUSEUM | SHERMAN, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAKE EFFECT TRAIL BREAKERS | JAMESTOWN, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAMES PRENDERGAST LIBRARY ASSN | JAMESTOWN, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | ELLINGTON, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARIA HOUSE PROJECT | ERIE, PA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE LAWSON BOATING HERITAGE CENTER | BEMUS POINT, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | JAMESTOWN, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
$263,000INTERNSHIP, LUCYFEST, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
NORTHWEST ARENA
$201,500EXHIBITS AND FIXTURES, GENERAL SUPPORT
CHAUTAUQUA REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDAT
$159,000STAR HOSPICE HOUSE, STEPHANIE FRUCELLA FUND, KOHL FAMILY FUND,CIRBUS SHCOLARSHIP, SALVATION ARMY ANEW FUND
REG LENNA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$152,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE WATERSHED MANAGEMEN
$150,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT & PROGRAMMING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$100,000ANEW CENTER
ST BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY
$100,000JANDOULI SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
MENTAL HEALTH ASSN CHAUTAUQUA COUNT
$80,000LEADERSHIP, SUCCESSION, INFRASTRUCTURE
GIRL SCOUTS OF WNY
$73,820TIMBERCREST HVAC PROJECT
WINIFRED CRAWFORD DIBERT BG CLUB
$56,000POOL REPAIRS, GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN NEW YORK LAND CONSERVANCY
$51,000ALLEGANY WILDLANDS EXPANSION, GENERAL SUPPORT
ROGER TORY PETERSON INSTITUTE
$50,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
YWCA OF JAMESTOWN
$50,000EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST SUSAN CENTER
$45,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
AUDUBON COMMUNITY NATURE CENTER
$44,123OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, SEPTIC SYSTEM & WELL CAP
CHAUTAUQUA STRIDERS
$42,500MENTORING PROGRAM, SEL PROGRAM, GENERAL SUPPORT
JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY LEARNING COUNCI
$40,000PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM
UCAN CITY MISSION
$40,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM
$36,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WESTERN NEW Y
$30,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
FEED MORE WNY
$30,000PARTNERS FIGHTING HUNGER CHQ, FOOD PANTRIES IN SOUTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
ST LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$30,000GROW JAMESTOWN - FARMERS MARKET
UNITED WAY OF SO CHAUTAUQUA CNTY
$26,988ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR E
$25,000PHASE V, C.C. OVERLAND TRAILS
WESTFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDAT
$25,000NEW FLOORING ON 2ND FLOOR
MEALS ON WHEELS JAMESTOWN AREA INC
$25,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
A CHILDREN'S PLACE
$25,000CAPACITY BUILDING & FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS
THE RELIEF ZONE
$20,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
CHAUTAUQUA REGIONAL YOUTH BALLET
$20,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ALLEGHANY HIGHLAND BOY SCOUTS OF AM
$20,000FRIENDS OF SCOUTING & CAMPERSHIPS
COMMUNITY HELPING HANDS
$18,750OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
FLUVANNA FREE LIBRARY
$15,588FLOORING & SHELVING
MARVIN COMMUNITY HOUSE
$13,700HVAC COMPLETION
CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - SIMULATOR
CHAUTAUQUA REGIONAL YOUTH SYMPHONY
$7,500DIRECTOR'S PAY
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
$7,500EMPOWER HER FIRST HOUSE READINESS
NORTH HARMONY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTE
$2,553HANDICAPPED DOOR PROJECT
ELLINGTON FARMAN LIBRARY
$2,000CARPETING PROJECT
YORKER MUSEUM
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LAKE EFFECT TRAIL BREAKERS
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
JAMES PRENDERGAST LIBRARY ASSN
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARIA HOUSE PROJECT
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE LAWSON BOATING HERITAGE CENTER
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT