Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital celebrates its 15^th anniversary this month, a perfect occasion for it to receive a $10 million gift from Rochester businessman Thomas Golisano.

Golisano announced the children’s hospital gift Tuesday, along with plans to donate $360 million to nonprofit organizations across Western and Central New York.

“We’re grateful to Tom Golisano and his caring heart and generosity that has helped Upstate improve the lives of many children through our facilities and services that bear his name,” said Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, MD.  “He has helped us transform medical care for children through this region and elsewhere. How fitting that this latest gift from Tom comes as we celebrate the 15^th anniversary of the opening of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. On behalf of the children, their parents and our staff, thank you.”

Executive Director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Gregory Conners, MD, MPH, MBA, who also serves as chair of Pediatrics, said Golisano’s gift is magical. “Tom has been with us every step of the way in our journey to provide the best care for our kids. The Golisano name is synonymous with great pediatric care, and I cannot thank him enough for his support.”

Upstate Vice President for Development Eileen Pezzi also offered her thanks to Golisano’s generosity. “Tom’s beneficence is boundless,” Pezzi said. “His yearslong investment in Upstate and the children of Central New York speaks volumes about his commitment to this region and its people. Tom cannot help but think big, as he wants to help so many. Thank you, Tom, for thinking big.”

Pezzi attended Golisano’s announcement in Rochester Tuesday with Upstate Foundation board chair Rita Reicher.

In his announcement today, Golisano applauded those organizations receiving his support for doing great work.

"I'm thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business." said 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. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact."

Golisano provided a $6 million dollar naming gift for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, which opened in September 2009. His gift brought the community campaign for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital to $21 million.

The Golisano Center for Special Needs, dedicated to streamlining autism care for children in the region, opened in 2021 thanks to a $3 million naming gift from Golisano.

This latest gift of $10 million brings Golisano’s support of Upstate to $19 million. It is the largest unrestricted gift in Upstate’s history.

Caption: Thomas Golisano speaks at the opening of Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in September 2009.