Philanthropist

Tom Golisano was the Major Underwriter of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting held in September between 2005-2013. The annual meeting held in New York City is a non-partisan effort to bring together community of global leaders to devise and implement solutions to some of world’s most pressing challenges including global health.

On September 23, 2012, former President William J. Clinton announced that businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano will provide $12 million to expand Special Olympics’ health-related services to people with intellectual disabilities—one of the largest and most medically underserved disability groups in the world. This funded the launch of a new Healthy Communities initiative. The commitment was made at the opening of the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting held in New York City.

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $5 million to Daystar Kids. The gift is unrestricted. 

Daystar Kids is New York State’s only Pediatric Complex Care and Learning Center, helping families successfully transition their infant or young child with complex medical conditions from the hospital to home and support their healthy development all the way until they enroll in kindergarten.  

On November 19, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $10 million to Golisano Children’s Hospital in Southwest, Florida. 

In October 2012, Tom Golisano announced a $20 million matching gift to build a new children’s hospital, which will be named Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Golisano challenged the community to raise $20 million, which he matched dollar for dollar for each contribution. Golisano’s matching gift of $20 million was the single largest philanthropic gift in The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida‘s history.

At the announcement, Golisano said “This gift comes as my personal commitment to help Lee Memorial Health System build a hospital where all children in Southwest Florida will receive the best possible care close to home. I hope this gift helps leverage support from others in the region and motivates everyone to contribute in a meaningful way to this important endeavor.”

On December 10, 2013 Tom Golisano donated $20 million to launch the campaign for the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida capital campaign in partnership with Lee Memorial Health System Foundation celebrating a community commitment of more than $80 million in donations and pledges toward its $100 million.

The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is part of Lee Memorial Health System and is located on the HealthPark Medical Campus. It is the only comprehensive children’s hospital between St. Petersburg and Miami.

In April 2002, Mr. Golisano contributed $14 million to Strong Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY, enabling the hospital to begin a comprehensive fundraising campaign. In honor of the gift, the hospital, which is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, is now known as Golisano Children’s Hospital.

In July 2011, Mr. Golisano provided a $20 million gift to expand and modernize the existing Golisano Children’s Hospital enabling the University of Rochester Medical Center to construct a new next-generation hospital for children. This gift, along with a previous gift of $14 million in 2002, totals $34 million to the Children’s Hospital.

On May 27, 2015 the new Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center was dedicated.

Mr. Golisano’s combined gifts are the largest ever given to the Children’s Hospital or the University of Rochester Medical Center by a living donor.

In April 2010, Mr. Golisano supported the creation of a new Center for Restorative Neurology and Rehabilitation at Unity Health System in Rochester, NY, with a gift of $10 million. The Center will serve adults and children in need of both inpatient and outpatient care for conditions that range from brain and spinal cord injuries to joint replacements to diseases such as multiple sclerosis

In June 2008, Mr. Golisano announced a gift of $4 million to the American Cancer Society and Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School to establish a new Hope Lodge and Hospitality House to accommodate cancer and transplant patients and their families from area and regional hospitals.

In September 2024, Mr. Golisano announced a $2 million unrestricted gift to Hope Lodge. 

Niagara now has another Golisano Center – one in which lives will be saved and where inclusive health is a priority. Tom Golisano committed $1.5 million on November 20, 2019 to support the new $2 million medical oncology center at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to improve access to cancer treatment for people in Niagara County. The new center was dedicated in a virtual ceremony on July 16, 2020 and is open to patients. The Center is operated by Memorial in affiliation with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the top cancer centers in the United States. The $2 new Golisano Medical Oncology Center makes Roswell’s expertise – including immunotherapy, hematology, chemotherapy infusion, clinical trials and the newest cancer curing drugs – readily accessible to those who live and work in Niagara County. The 6,085-square-foot facility is located on Memorial’s fourth floor. The new Center also provides cancer care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a population that often falls through the cracks of complex health care systems, and specialty care including early detection, cancer screening and treatment. 

In March 2005, Mr. Golisano continued his commitment to health care with a $9 million gift to Rochester General Hospital (part of Rochester Regional Health), helping to establish the B. Thomas Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center.

Mr. Golisano made a challenge grant of $5 million in May 2010 for the new Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, which opened in March 2012 in Naples, Florida. The 30,000-square-foot Museum features ten spectacularly designed, child-scaled exhibits to invite sensory and intellectual exploration.

In October 2006, Mr. Golisano donated $1.5 million to Mercy Flight Central of Canandaigua, NY, helping to kickoff the drive to purchase a new Mercy Flight helicopter.

In September 2024, Mr. Golisano donated $5 million to Mercy Flight Central. The gift is unrestricted. 

On September 17, 2014, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center received a $3.5 million gift, the largest in its history, from businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano to support construction of an innovative new Golisano Center for Community Health. The Center will provide comprehensive integrated health care services to adults with special needs and their families, breaking down barriers to care, preventing individuals from falling through the cracks and helping them live with dignity. It is one of the few centers of its kind in the country.

On November 20, 2019 Tom Golisano committed $1.5 million to support the new $2 million medical oncology center at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to improve access to cancer treatment for people in Niagara County. The Center is operated by Memorial in affiliation with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the top cancer centers in the United States. The Golisano Medical Oncology Center makes Roswell’s expertise – including immunotherapy, hematology, chemotherapy infusion, clinical trials and the newest cancer curing drugs – readily accessible to those who live and work in Niagara County. The 6,085-square-foot facility is located on Memorial’s fourth floor. The new Center also provides cancer care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a population that often falls through the cracks of complex health care systems, and specialty care including early detection, cancer screening and treatment. Read more

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced a donation of $10 million to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. The gift is the largest he has made to Memorial and it is unrestricted. Joe Ruffolo, President and CEO of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, told WKBW, “Here is a man, single-handedly who has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The gift is a catalyst that will allow Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to expand healthcare access both in Niagara Falls and throughout Niagara County.”

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $10 million to Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. This was Mr. Golisano’s first donation to the hospital, and it is the largest single gift Oishei has ever received from an individual.

The hospital said, “We are overwhelmed to be the recipient of this monumental gift! With Tom Golisano’s gift, we will make a profound and lasting impact FOR our patients, families, and care teams.”

Oishei is the only stand-alone children’s hospital in New York State, and one of only 43 in the country.

In addition to having a brand new, state-of-the-art facility with new technology, Oishei Children’s Hospital is part of the growing Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and is connected to other medical partners, Buffalo General Medical Center, Gates Vascular Institute and Oishei Children’s Outpatient center, allowing Western New York’s medical leaders to work together and share resources to make certain each patient is receiving the best possible care.

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $2 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY. The gift is unrestricted. 

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY is to look after the health and well-being of children and families. We believe all families deserve access to quality care. That’s why we help reduce barriers by proving a comfortable place to stay at no cost. Whether it’s lodging, transportation, meals, or companionship, RMHCR provides a “home-away-from-home” to families while their children receive the medical care they need.

In November 2005, Mr. Golisano donated $6 million to Central New York Children’s Hospital at University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. In honor of the gift, the hospital was renamed the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Central New York at University Hospital. This was the largest gift ever from an individual donor in SUNY history.

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced a gift of $10 million to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, his largest gift to the hospital. The gift coincided with the Hospital’s 15th anniversary.

Executive Director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Gregory Conners, MD, MPH, MBA, who also serves as chair of Pediatrics, said Golisano’s gift is magical. “Tom has been with us every step of the way in our journey to provide the best care for our kids. The Golisano name is synonymous with great pediatric care, and I cannot thank him enough for his support.”

On September 16, 2021, Special Olympics announced it received $30 million, its largest single private gift in the organization’s 53-year history, from Tom Golisano. This is Tom’s third major gift to Special Olympics. His first gift of $12 million was made in 2012 and announced at Clinton Global Initiative. His second major gift of $25 million was presented in 2015. His support for Special Olympics Health now totals $67 million.

Funds will expand the Special Olympics Healthy Communities program, which provides health services globally for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), a population that has been critically underserved, especially during the pandemic. “I am pleased to continue financial support for Special Olympics’ extraordinary health work, which is giving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities improved access to health services and the opportunity to live happier, more productive lives,” said Golisano. “Special Olympics’ impact on the health of people with ID is impressive – as is its strategy on how to build on this success over the next several years. The focus on measurement, standardization of practices, early diagnosis, a trained workforce, and health systems that demonstrate inclusive policies, will effectively position Special Olympics to further our mutual goal of health equity.”  Read more

In April 2010, Mr. Golisano supported the creation of a new Center for Restorative Neurology and Rehabilitation at Unity Health System in Rochester, NY, with a gift of $10 million. The Center will serve adults and children in need of both inpatient and outpatient care for conditions that range from brain and spinal cord injuries to joint replacements to diseases such as multiple sclerosis

In November 2002, Tom Golisano donated $5 million to Thompson Health in Canandaigua, NY. The gift will be used to create the Golisano Center for Emergency and Diagnostic Medicine.

On November 19, 2024, Tom Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $3 million to the American Red Cross of Southwest Florida.

The American Red Cross of Southwest Florida helps people affected by disasters big and small and serves Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.

On November 19, 2024, Tom Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $2 million to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida.

Founded in 1981, the mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC) is to provide a coordinated response to child victims of abuse and neglect and improve the lives of at-risk children and their families through prevention services. CAC assesses, and treats children believed to have been physically or sexually abused or to be at risk of such abuse and provide a safe place for them to come and be heard. It offers abuse determination services as well as therapeutic counseling, parenting education, and prevention programs in Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Charlotte Counties.

It is one of the largest children’s advocacy centers in the state of Florida and the only one in the four-county area. CAC is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance.

The Golisano Autism Center Rochester, a collaboration of Al Sigl Community of Agencies, AutismUp, CP Rochester, the Golisano Foundation and Tom Golisano, opened in 2018. It has expanded and enhanced autism services to serve the more than 10,000 people diagnosed with autism in the Greater Rochester and surrounding areas. The 33,000 sq.ft. Center is named for Tom Golisano, who announced on May 16, 2017 that he was making a matching challenge grant of $2.5 million to help build the Center.  The Golisano Foundation also made a grant to the Center of $500,000. The establishment of the Golisano Autism Center in Rochester has transformed the delivery of autism services by co-locating and coordinating resources offered by multiple autism providers, each of which, has specialized areas of expertise.

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced a gift of $3 million to the Center. The gift is unrestricted.  

Tom Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $5 million to Foodlink on September 17, 2024.

Foodlink is a Rochester, NY-based nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger and building healthier communities by addressing both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity. It serves as the hub of the emergency food system across a 10-county service area. As a leading public health organization, Foodlink administers many programs and initiatives that aim to build the health and wealth of communities.

Tom Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $2 million to Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind on September 17, 2024.

Freedom Guide Dogs (FGD) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to changing the lives of those who are blind or visually impaired. Based in Central, New York, it breeds, raises, trains and places guide dogs with individuals who are legally blind through our distinctive training program, Hometown Training™.  Services are provided completely free of charge to the recipient.

The Golisano Center for Community Health is the only outpatient center of its type in Western New York and one of very few in the United States.

Dedicated in June 2016, the $7 million, two-story, 23,000-square-foot building was supported by a $3.5 million gift from Tom Golisano. The Center provides comprehensive integrated health care services to adults with special needs and their families, breaking down barriers to care and supporting the Tom Golisano and the Foundation’s vision of inclusive healthcare for all—ensuring that people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are in no way excluded from healthcare systems within their communities.

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $10 million to Memorial. 

On September 27, 2019 in Syracuse, New York, The Upstate Foundation announced a gift of $3 million from Tom Golisano to establish the Golisano Center for Special Needs at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. The center will provide comprehensive, coordinated and scientifically based medical and behavioral care for children and adolescents with all types of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center will act as the umbrella, creating a framework to increase collaboration resulting in better patient care. Read more

On November 19, 2024, Tom Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $4 million to the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. This was Mr. Golisano’s second major gift to the museum.

On May 3, 2010, the museum announced that Mr. Golisano was the lead donor to the C’mon Campaign, making a $5 million challenge grant to inspire other philanthropists to support the worthwhile campaign to complete the new Museum.

In recognition of his generosity, the Museum was named the “Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. The museum opened in 2012.

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON) is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted to children and families. This safe and wonderful place inspires children and families to have fun while learning together. The two-story, 38,000-square-foot institution is filled with interactive exhibits, classrooms, and more! Developed by experts in child psychology, this experimental play fosters creativity, curiosity, empathy, and self-esteem.

The Golisano Foundation is Tom Golisano’s largest ongoing initiative to help people with intellectual disabilities. The Foundation was founded in 1985 with an initial gift of $90,000 from Tom Golisano. Today, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States devoted exclusively to supporting programs for people with intellectual disabilities. The Foundation has more than $120 million in gross assets and has awarded more than $41 million in grants to date. It awards about $3 to 5 million annually in grants, to non-profit organizations in Western and Rochester, NY region as and Southwest Florida that serve people with developmental disabilities.

On June 13, 2024, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader Tom Golisano made a historic $50 million commitment, making it possible to build the Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The new world-class transdisciplinary center will provide solutions to the health and quality of life issues that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Those with IDD are a traditionally underserved population, with approximately 19,000 people affected locally, 120,000 regionally, and 200 million worldwide. Mr. Golisano’s transformational gift also names the Golisano Specialty Clinic at Eastman Dental Center, which serves nearly 2,000 people with IDD each year.

This gift is the largest single gift in University history and the largest single gift made by Mr. Golisano. Between his personal giving and his foundation, Golisano’s total philanthropy to the University of Rochester Medical Center now nears $100 million. 

In December 2013 Tom Golisano made a personal gift to establish the Golisano Life Enhancement Fund for individuals with disabilities in upstate NY to be administered through the Future Care Planning Community Pooled Trust. The Funds will provide financial assistance needed for items and other supports to enhance quality of life.

Tom Golisano has provided more than $67 million to Special Olympics to help create a world where people with intellectual disabilities have the same opportunities and access to health care as people without intellectual disabilities. As the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics is uniquely poised to address and improve the unmet health needs of people with intellectual disabilities. It is working to create a tipping point where health becomes inclusive for people with intellectual disabilities globally by changing curriculum, training health care professionals and policymakers, influencing policy, advocating for inclusive health programming, building partnerships for follow up care and harnessing the power of the Special Olympics Movement to build awareness.

In 2015, Tom’s gifts to Special Olympics Health were recognized as one of Philanthropy’s Big Bets for Social Change, a goal estimated by the Bridgespan Group that only 20% of philanthropic donations seek to achieve.

In October 2017, Tom Golisano announced his donation of $5 million toward this new center, which will open in 2019, will provide the greater Rochester community a new, critically-needed home base for child and adolescent behavioral health services. The new building will be the primary outpatient location for the children’s hospital’s Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness program, which treats children with depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, PTSD, and other behavioral and emotional conditions, and will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, nurses, and more.

On September 21, 2016 Tom Golisano committed $7.5 million to Nazareth College for the new, 91,000 sq.ft. Golisano Training Center to create a model of inclusion, fitness & wellness. This was the largest gift the University had received.  Groundbreaking for the Golisano Training Center took place June 14, 2018 and on October 21, 2019 the grand opening was celebrated.

The Center provides an indoor track, field, courts, and training facilities. The center is the first of its kind collaboration of inclusion, fitness, and wellness for athletes of all abilities. Nazareth is poised and ready to be a national model of “Wellness for All” as the only college or university that has ever developed an inclusive training center that levels the playing field for athletes of all abilities and ages.

In July of 2004, Mr. Golisano donated $1 million to Heritage Christian Services of Rochester, a human service agency supporting those with disabilities.

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced a gift of $5 million, his largest donation to the organization. The gift is unrestricted.

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $5 million to Hillside Family of Agencies. The gift is unrestricted.

“All of Hillside is deeply grateful for this transformational gift,” said Maria Cristalli, Hillside President & Chief Executive Officer, adding that the award serves as “a profound testament to the impact of the work undertaken by our staff every day, in collaboration with the youth, adults and families we serve.”

Founded in 1837, Hillside provides community-based services, education, and residential treatment to positively impact lives, in partnership with youth and families who have experienced trauma. In 2023, the agency provided services to nearly 9,000 youth, adults and families throughout Western and Central New York, as well as in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $2 million to Lifespan. 

On November 19, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $3 million to Meals of Hope in Southwest Florida. 

Meals of Hope is a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) that is committed to bringing people together to fight the hunger epidemic. Founded in 2007, Meals of Hope has packed over 80 million meals that have been donated to communities in need across the nation and around the world. By hosting meal-packing events across the country and operating 15 food pantries in Southwest Florida, Meals of Hope has a local and global reach. With over 30,000 volunteers and a staff of 18, Meals of Hope is only getting started in our efforts to end hunger once and for all. 

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $2 million to Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe County.

The organization provides specialized transportation for community organizations, as well as individuals with disabilities and special needs to improve their independence and quality of life.

In August 2007, Mr. Golisano made a gift of $2.5 million to Springbrook in Oneonta, NY, which provides support for children with developmental disabilities. The gift was part of the agency’s Coming Home Campaign and helped renovate and expand current facilities. The Tom Golisano Center for Autism, established in 2012 at Springbrook, focuses on helping children with autism communicate and learn. 

On September 17, 2024, Mr. Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $5 million to Springbrook. Springbrook CEO Patricia Kennedy said, “We are grateful to Tom for his generous gift. His generosity has helped the organization improve the lives of many children who come to the Golisano School program.”

Springbrook provides at-home care, residential and educational services, day services, and clinical, therapeutic, and behavioral support to more than 1,100 people with developmental disabilities across New York. The organization is Otsego County’s third-largest employer, with more than 1,300 employees. 

On April 12, 2024, a groundbreaking $5 million leadership gift from Tom Golisano toward STARability Foundation’s permanent future home was announced. This transformative support will elevate STARability’s mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through vocational training, continuing education, teamwork, social engagement, and community involvement and pave the way for expanded programs, addressing the increased demand for support and services in Collier County.

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $5 million to The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester. The donation is unrestricted. 

As the premier Child Advocacy Agency Center in the Greater Rochester region, the agency is dedicated to giving children a voice and ending abuse. Its comprehensive services offer support to children and families and help provide healing, education, and prevention.

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $2 million to the Veterans Outreach Center.  The donation is unrestricted.

Founded locally in 1973 by returning Vietnam Veterans, today’s Veterans Outreach Center remains anchored in its community. It offers a comprehensive portfolio of supportive services designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Through the generosity of our community, all of these programs and services are provided free of charge.

In January 2004, Mr. Golisano contributed $2 million to WXXI Public Broadcasting in Rochester to help WXXI meet the federal mandate to begin digital broadcasting.

On July 20, 2016, a $2 million gift from the Rochester entrepreneur and philanthropist helped the station exceed its goal in its multi-year “Go Public” campaign to secure the future of public media in Rochester and to upgrade studios and facilities.

On September 17, 2024, Tom Golisano announced a gift of $2 million to WXXI  Public Broadcasting.  The donation is unrestricted.

WXXI is a lifelong educational public media resource that engages, inspires, and strengthens the Rochester, New York, area community.

On November 19, 2024, Tom Golisano announced an unrestricted gift of $3 million to Youth Haven Southwest Florida. 

Youth Haven has been creating safe spaces for SWFL youth to realize their potential since 1972. It was established to fulfill an immediate need for emergency shelter for children who had been suddenly removed from a traumatic home situation. A group of caring local individuals worked together with law enforcement and community partners to create a safe space for each of these children in need.