Tom Golisano, ’62, announced $360 million in awards to 82 non-profit organizations this included a gift of $5 million to his alma mater Alfred State College. This is the largest gift the college has ever received.
“Tom Golisano has built an amazing career after his time at Alfred State, and this gift is a game changer and will help so many future Pioneers,” commented Alfred State President Dr. Steve Mauro. “We are honored and beyond grateful that he thought so much of his alma mater to include us in this huge commitment to our area.”
Tom Golisano announcement – video courtesy of 13WHAM
The unrestricted, multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, paid over four to five years, spanning healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other crucial community needs. This significant financial commitment represents support for a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Golisano. Awards received may be used at each organization’s discretion.
“I’m thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business.” said Mr. Golisano. “I know that there are many organizations doing great work and understand that running a nonprofit is not easy, facing both opportunities and challenges, like raising money. These awards are the result of relationships I’ve formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations’ dedication and innovation. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact.”
Golisano earned a business administration degree from Alfred State and credits his accounting Professor Thomas Dunn for leading him on the path to becoming a successful entrepreneur. In 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Golisano visited Alfred State in 2021 and spoke to business majors about his career path, his book “Built Not Born”, and recalled his interaction with Dunn. “Professor Dunn was a master at educating us on how to understand financial statements.”
Golisano continues, “One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and I’m so lucky to be able to live that out. The success of Paychex, the hard work of the employees there— is ultimately what makes these donations possible, and I am beyond grateful that I have the ability to do so. I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve.”
