Rochester-area billionaire donates millions to Southern Tier nonprofits

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WENY) -- Billionaire Tom Golisano is donating $14 million to several nonprofits based in New York's Southern Tier. The Rochester-area founder of Paychex made the announcement Tuesday when he unveiled $346 million in other donations to 77 nonprofits across New York State.

“I’m thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business. 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," Golisano said. "I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact.”

Locally, The Arc of Chemung and Schuyler is getting $5 million, The Arc of Allegany and Steuben is getting $5 million, the Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA is getting $1 million, the Hornell Area Humane Society is getting $1.5 million and the Humane Society of Schuyler County is getting $1.5 million.

“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and I’m so lucky to be able to live that out," said Golisano. "I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve.”

According to the Golisano Foundation, the funding will be paid out to the organizations over the next four to five years.

Over his life, Golisano has donated $775 million dollars. His foundation says Golisano is expected to continue to make charitable contribution. The billionaire is worth an estimated $6.3 billion, according to Forbes.