Philanthropist and Paychex founder Tom Golisano has announced the creation of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a groundbreaking initiative that expands his support for pediatric care across the country — and pushes his lifetime philanthropic giving past the $1 billion mark.
The new alliance includes a $253 million commitment to six newly funded children’s hospitals, bringing the total number of Golisano-supported hospitals to ten.
“Children’s health has always been a priority for me,” Golisano said. “It’s been deeply rewarding to see how the Golisano Children’s Hospitals are making a profound impact. I look forward to seeing what these hospitals can achieve together.”
Hospitals receiving first-time gifts:
- Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – Hartford, CT ($50M)
- Penn State Health Children’s Hospital – Hershey, PA ($50M)
- University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital – Lexington, KY ($50M)
- University of Maryland Children’s Hospital – Baltimore, MD ($50M)
- University of Vermont Children’s Hospital – Burlington, VT ($25M)
- WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital – Morgantown, WV ($28M)
These join four existing Golisano-affiliated hospitals, including those in Rochester and Syracuse, NY, and Fort Myers, FL. In January 2026, Buffalo’s John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital will also adopt the Golisano name.
The Golisano Children’s Alliance aims to build a nationally recognized network of pediatric hospitals. Leaders say the goal is to strengthen collaboration, expand services, and improve access to high-quality care for children and families, no matter where they live.
Dr. Scottie Day, Physician in Chief at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, called the donation “life-changing.”
“The impact this gift will have… cannot be overstated,” he said. “We look forward to being part of the Golisano Children’s Alliance that will strengthen children’s healthcare for years to come.”
This milestone gift follows Golisano’s recent announcement of a second location for the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Buffalo. The Rochester-based businessman has long championed health, education, entrepreneurship, and disability rights.
Through the Golisano Foundation, established in 1985, he has directed millions toward supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The foundation is now one of the largest private organizations of its kind in the U.S.
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