Nonprofits across upstate New York are celebrating after being surprised Tuesday with millions of dollars in unrestricted grants from billionaire philanthropist Tom Golisano. The Paychex founder is personally giving away $360 million to 82 organizations — most of them in the Rochester area. “I’m going to be candid with you,” he said, speaking with reporters after the announcement at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Brighton. “I had put most of these organizations in my will so that when I, uh, you know — they would benefit from it. “But I decided … why not give it to them now, so they can use it now?”

** The summary states that a recent awards ceremony nearly doubled the donor’s lifetime giving, raising his total to $775 million. The donor also promised a similar announcement in Florida.

The room was filled with anticipation, a palpable tension that crackled in the air. The announcement was a bold move, a gamble, but one he felt compelled to take. He knew the nonprofit sector was in dire straits, facing a multitude of challenges, and he believed his solution was the answer. The nonprofit leader, known for his innovative thinking and bold moves, had a reputation for taking risks.

It’s a place where people with disabilities can be themselves and express themselves,” says one of the Cobblestone’s founders, Mary Ann O’Brien. The organization’s mission is to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in the arts. This is achieved through a variety of programs, including:

Rochester Regional Health received the largest award, totaling $20 million to be paid out over several years. Others receiving grants include Foodlink, Hillside Family of Agencies, Veterans Outreach Center, area schools and colleges, nonprofits working in areas of intellectual and development disabilities, and nearly two dozen animal welfare groups. WXXI Public Media received $2 million. Max Schulte / WXXI News Thomas Golisano takes a moment to gather his emotions Tuesday before announcing that he was giving $360 million of his personal wealth to dozens of upstate nonprofit organizations at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Brighton. “No single person has had such an impact on our organization or this community,” said WXXI President and CEO Norm Silverstein. “Tom has always believed in the mission of public media and we are grateful for his support of our work.”

I’m just so overwhelmed with gratitude.”

This sentiment was echoed by many other recipients, who expressed their excitement and gratitude for the generous funding. The awards, which were presented at a ceremony in New York City, were a testament to the innovative and impactful work being done by these organizations. The awards were presented by the Golisano Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by the late billionaire philanthropist, Golisano.

Find new markets. Find new revenue streams. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about.”

This quote from Golisano, the founder of the Golisano Foundation, highlights a key aspect of his philosophy: the potential for entrepreneurial thinking within the nonprofit sector. He emphasizes that nonprofits, like businesses, can embrace entrepreneurial principles to achieve greater impact and efficiency.

Gifts by region Rochester: $201 million Buffalo: $66.5 million Syracuse: $40.5 million Also, $52 million to the Golisano Foundation, which serves the Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse regions as well as Southwest Florida. 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 Max Schulte / WXXI News The names of the nonprofit organizations that serve people with disabilities is displayed on a screen behind Thomas Golisano as he announces awards of $104 million to them. Intellectual and developmental disabilities 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 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