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.”