Fort Myers, Fla., December 12, 2024 — The American Red Cross has received a generous donation of $3 million over the next 5 years from Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, the founder of Paychex, philanthropist, and civic leader. These charitable contributions will help the Red Cross continue to serve their lifesaving mission.

Golisano recently awarded gifts totaling $85 million to 41 organizations in Southwest Florida, including multiple nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The awards, which ranged from $150,000 to $10 million each, span a diverse range of causes including healthcare, education, disability services, other critical community needs and animal welfare. 

“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and this year I’ve decided to act on that saying," said Golisano. "Thanks to the success of Paychex and its employees, I can make it my reality. I’m glad to provide support to nonprofits across Southwest Florida, where I now call home.”

Golisano's philanthropy this year amounts to half a billion dollars and his lifelong philanthropy $860 million. His recent announcement in Naples, FL follows his September 17 announcement of 82 major gifts totaling $360 million to organizations in Upstate New York, including $52 million to the Golisano Foundation, increasing its assets to $120 million. This infusion of funding increases the Golisano Foundation’s giving from approximately $3 million to more than $5 million annually, allowing even more opportunities for nonprofits to access grant funding.

“On behalf of the American Red Cross, we are grateful for this extraordinary gift from Mr. Golisano. His remarkable donation comes at a critical time when the needs of people in our communities are greater than ever due to relentless disasters and the repetitive loss so many families in southwest Florida face,” said Krista Coletti, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross South Florida. “Thanks to Mr. Golisano’s generosity, we are empowered to swiftly and effectively respond to emergencies, providing much-needed relief and recovery.”

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies. More than 20,000 people receive assistance from the Red Cross every day. This generous donation ensures the Red Cross is able to respond whenever and wherever we are needed.

To help the Red Cross continue to deliver its lifesaving mission, you can make a financial donation by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook and X at @SFLRedCross.

About Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation
Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader—is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation's largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses, providing integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 745,000 clients in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Golisano's vision, perseverance, and action have left an indelible mark on a broad spectrum of issues that touch our lives—in business, healthcare, education, voter policies, politics, and tax reform. His continuing investments are helping to advance entrepreneurship through the 2023 establishment of the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship as well as driving the success of numerous businesses and start-ups. His personal philanthropic contributions to hospitals—including three children's hospitals that bear his name—and numerous educational institutions, his Foundation, and other organizations now exceed $860 million. He has dedicated more than $145 million to advancing inclusive health around the world, helping to close the substantial gap in access to care for people with intellectual disabilities. 

A fierce advocate for dignity and inclusion, in 1985 Mr. Golisano applied his pioneering spirit to establish the Golisano Foundation to make the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than $120 million now in gross assets, it is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. devoted to supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities awarding about $5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

Mr. Golisano is the author of two books, "Built Not Born," a Wall Street Journal best seller and "The Italian Kid Did It." He is listed on the Forbes 400.

Connect with us at Golisanofoundation.org, @GolisanoFdn.