Golisano Foundation

The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States devoted exclusively to supporting programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Founded in 1985 with an initial gift of $90,000 from B. Thomas Golisano, the founder and Chairman of Paychex, the Foundation now has more than $33 million in gross assets and has awarded more than $21 million in grants, about $2 million annually, to non-profit organizations in a multi-county region surrounding Rochester, New York that serve people with developmental disabilities. 

We are committed to opening doors, changing perceptions, and forging unprecedented partnerships to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with pathways to self-sufficiency, personal dignity, and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes. 
We Are a Catalyst for Transformation

Through our targeted initiatives, it is our vision that communities will encourage and co