Tom Golisano’s Generous $85 Million Donation to Nonprofits in Southwest Florida

Philanthropist Tom Golisano made headlines on November 19 by donating $85 million to 41 nonprofit organizations across Southwest Florida. The announcement, made at Artis—Naples, marks a significant contribution to various sectors, including healthcare, education, and animal welfare, showcasing Golisano’s commitment to community support.

Key Takeaways

Tom Golisano donated $85 million to 41 nonprofits in Southwest Florida.
The donations are unrestricted, allowing organizations to allocate funds as needed.
This event brings Golisano’s total philanthropic contributions in 2024 to $500 million.

Golisano, the founder of Paychex, expressed his admiration for the dedication of the nonprofit organizations during the event. He emphasized the importance of giving back, stating, "The only wealth you get to keep is that which you give away." His remarks resonated with the audience, which included representatives from various organizations.

The donations were categorized into five main areas: healthcare, education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, community needs, and animal welfare. The largest individual gifts included:

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida – $10 million
Ave Maria University – $10 million
Naples Comprehensive Health – $5 million
Guadalupe Center – $3 million
Easterseals Southwest Florida – $5 million

The unrestricted nature of the donations allows each organization to determine how best to utilize the funds. Jonathan Foerster, CEO of the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, highlighted the significance of this flexibility, stating, "Mr. Golisano is trusting these organizations to know what best to do with that money."

Golisano’s commitment to animal welfare was also evident, with $10 million allocated to 20 animal welfare organizations. This includes:

Cape Coral Animal Shelter – $1.5 million
Gulf Coast Humane Society – $1.5 million
SNIP Collier – $1.5 million

The impact of Golisano’s donations is expected to be profound, enabling organizations to expand their services and reach more individuals in need. Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and CEO of Lee Health, noted that the $10 million gift to Golisano Children’s Hospital would allow for the expansion of pediatric services in response to a growing population.

This latest round of giving follows Golisano’s previous announcement in September, where he donated $360 million to organizations in Upstate New York. With a total of $860 million in lifetime philanthropy, Golisano continues to set a remarkable example of generosity and community support.

As Golisano stated, "I hope this unexpected funding helps them broaden their impact and strengthen their organizations so they can expand their services and those they serve." His contributions not only provide immediate financial support but also inspire others to engage in philanthropy and community service.