Naples, FL – December 24, 2024 – Sunrise Community of Southwest Florida is thrilled to announce it has received a transformative $1 Million award from entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader Tom Golisano. This generous gift will enable Sunrise’s Naples program to expand its creative initiatives, fostering innovation and providing enriching opportunities for persons supported to express themselves, develop new skills, and engage more fully in the community.
“We are deeply grateful to Tom Golisano for this transformative gift,” said Margaret Feldman, Vice President of Development. “This funding will allow us to enhance our various innovative initiatives, providing persons supported with greater opportunities to explore their talents, build independence, and connect with their community through innovative and inclusive programs.”
Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex, Inc., and the Golisano Foundation, is a champion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His foundation is among the largest in the nation dedicated to supporting this vital cause, and his philanthropic contributions exceed $860 million.
“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. “I’m happy to provide resources to support Sunrise Naples allowing them to further their mission of empowering and uplifting Naples citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Sunrise has been a leading nonprofit dedicated to “Creating valued lives for people with disabilities” for nearly 60 years of service, Sunrise has consistently delivered innovative and person-centered programs that empower individuals with varying abilities.
About Sunrise
The Sunrise group of nonprofit organizations is dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For nearly 60 years, it has grown from supporting 50 individuals in South Florida to serving over 1,400 across multiple states, with more than 2,500 employees. Its growth stems from assisting state efforts to deinstitutionalize and integrate smaller organizations into the Sunrise families.
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. 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, animal welfare, voter policies, politics, and tax reform. His investments are advancing entrepreneurship and driving the success of numerous businesses and start-ups. His philanthropic contributions to education, hospitals — including three children’s hospitals that bear his name — and numerous other organizations exceed $860 million. A fierce advocate for dignity and inclusion, in 1985 Tom 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 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 grants to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
Mr. Golisano formed and financially supports the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, where students receive a high quality business certificate and write their own entrepreneurial success stories, without having to take on enormous debt.
He is the author of two Books, “Built Not Born,” a Wall Street Journal best seller and “The Italian Kid Did It.”
