Tom Golisano, renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, has announced an unprecedented philanthropic commitment of $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations across Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York. This monumental donation nearly doubles Golisano’s lifetime giving, bringing his total contributions to $775 million.
The unrestricted, multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, and will be distributed over four to five years. These funds will support a diverse array of causes, including healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other critical community needs. Most of the recipient organizations have previously benefited from Golisano’s generosity through the Golisano Foundation.
“I’m thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, where I built my life and my business,” said Golisano. “I know that many organizations are doing great work and face significant challenges, including raising funds. These awards are the result of relationships I’ve formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations’ dedication and innovation. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact.”
In addition to the $360 million in awards, Golisano is making a transformative $52 million donation to the Golisano Foundation, increasing its total investment assets to $120 million. This infusion will boost the foundation’s annual giving from approximately $3 million to over $5 million, providing even more opportunities for new and existing organizations to access crucial grant funding.
“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and I’m so lucky to be able to live that out,” Golisano added. “The success of Paychex and the hard work of its employees are ultimately what makes these donations possible, and I am beyond grateful that I have the ability to do so. I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve.”
This historic series of awards underscores Golisano’s enduring commitment to philanthropy and his dedication to improving the lives of individuals and communities across Upstate New York.
For more information about Tom Golisano’s philanthropic efforts and the Golisano Foundation, visit Golisano Foundation.