Tom Golisano to donate $360 million to 82 nonprofits in upstate New York
BY Brian Campbell and Wendy Wright New York State
UPDATED 6:05 PM ET Sep. 17, 2024 PUBLISHED 12:40 PM ET Sep. 17, 2024
Philanthropist Tom Golisano on Tuesday announced plans to donate $360 million to 82 nonprofit organizations in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse to support health care, education, animal welfare, disability services and other crucial community needs.
Nonprofits in the Rochester region will receive $201 million, Buffalo will receive $66.5 million, the Syracuse region will receive $40.5 million and $52 million will go to the Golisano Foundation, which serves the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse regions.
Thomas was emotional, holding back tears, as he made the announcement in Rochester.
“I've heard more than once, the only wealth you get to keep is that which you give away, right?" he said. "We are committing $360 million to nonprofit organizations across upstate New York."
He then apologized for getting choked up.
Golisano says the grants will be unrestricted and spread across several years, depending on how large the grant is.
Many in the crowd were recipients and were unaware of what Golisano was about to announce.
"We define entrepreneurship very simple in this institute, and that is finding a better way to do things," Golisano said. "And we hope with these resources, you organizations can find better ways to do things and provide either quality service or provide services at a lower cost to your clients and patients."
The following organizations will receive funding:
Community
The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester - $5 million
Foodlink - $5 million
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind - $2 million
Hillside Family of Agencies - $5 million
Lifespan - $2 million
Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe County - $2 million
Veterans Outreach Center - $2 million
WXXI Public Broadcasting - $2 million
Education
Alfred State College - $5 million
Allendale Columbia School - $5 million
Aquinas Institute of Rochester - $5 million
Bishop Kearney High School - $5 million
Canisius University - $5 million
The Charles Finney School - $3 million
Daemen University - $5 million
The Harley School - $5 million
Hope Hall School - $3 million
McQuaid Jesuit High School - $5 million
Nazareth University - $5 million
Niagara University - $10 million
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women - $5 million
Roberts Wesleyan University - $5 million
Rochester Institute of Technology - $10 million
St. John Fisher University - $5 million
Health American Cancer Society, Golisano Hope Lodge - $2 million
American Red Cross - Greater Rochester Chapter - $5 million
Daystar Kids - $5 million
Mercy Flight Central - $5 million
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center - $10 million
Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo - $10 million
Rochester Regional Health - $20 million
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY - $2 million
Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital - $10 million
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Ability Partners (CP Rochester, Rochester Rehab, Happiness House) - $5 million
Arc Allegany-Steuben - $5 million
Arc Chemung-Schuyler - $5 million
Arc Erie County New York - $5 million
Arc GLOW (Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming)- $5 million
Arc of Monroe County - $5 million
Arc of Ontario County - $5 million
Arc of Wayne County - $5 million
AutismUp - $3 million
Best Buddies, WNY - $1 million
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services - $5 million
CDS Life Transitions - $5 million
Cobblestone Arts Center - $2 million
Empowering People's Independence (EPI) - $5 million
EquiCenter - $2 million
Golisano Autism Center - $3 million
Heritage Christian Services - $5 million
Holy Childhood - $5 million
Lifetime Assistance - $5 million
Mary Cariola Center
Mozaic (Arc of Seneca, Cayuga & Yates Counties) - $5 million
People, Inc. - $5 million
Special Olympics New York - $1 million
Springbrook - $5 million
Starbridge Services - $2 million
Summit Center - $5 million
Animal Welfare Better Together Pet Rescue Center - $250,000
Beverly Animal Shelter - $1 million
Chautauqua County Humane Society - $1.5 million
Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA - $1 million
Finger Lakes SPCA - $1.5 million
Headed for Furever - $250,000
Hornell Area Humane Society - $1.5 million
Humane Society of Schuyler County - $1.5 million
Humane Society of Wayne County - $1.5 million
Humane Society of Yates County - $1.5 million
Joyful Rescue - $250,000
Keller's Kats Rescue - $250,000
Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester - $2 million
Mr. Grey's Strays - $250,000
Operation Freedom Ride - $250,000
Pet Adoption Network - $250,000
Pet Pride of New York - $1.5 million
Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services - $1.5 million
Rochester HOPE for Pets - $250,000
SPCA in Cattaraugus County - $1.5 million
SPCA Serving Allegany County - $1.5 million
SPCA Serving Erie County - $1.5 million
Wyoming County SPCA - $1.5 million
Golisano expressed his love for animals with his words and his actions.
"Anybody that's had a pet for any period of time, and has gone through the process of having to put a puppy to sleep, it's a tough deal," he said. "And it and these animals become a very important part of your family. And, it certainly happened with us with Bailey, too. So I know people have gone through this, and they and I know there's a lack of, veterinary help in the country today. So hopefully that'll change over time. So they’re important in the family. So why not?”
“Yes, it's absolutely going to change the lives of the pets in Rochester,” said an overwhelmed Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services Medical Director Dr. Bruce Ingersoll.
Golisano, who is giving millions to health care groups, spoke about his own family, including his 5-year-old great-granddaughter’s recent heart transplant, his 95-year-old sister’s hip replacement and his experience passing out last week.
“Monica, very smartly said, call the ambulance, get him to the hospital," he said. "And, within two hours, I had been diagnosed as needing a pacemaker."
Golisano said he is doing a lot better now than I did last week.
"I noticed an increase in my step," he said. "Increase in my blood circulation. It's good. It feels good.”
And for this man, it feels good to be able to give.
“I’m glad to be able to do it," he said. "You can’t take it with you.”
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