Foundation News
May 28, 2020
$265,500 Awarded in Second Round of COVID-19 Response Grants
We are pleased to announce the second round of   COVID-19 Response Grants totaling $265,500 to organizations in Western NY and Southwest Florida. The Foundation's COVID-19 Response Grant funding now totals $691,800.

Grants announced today totaling $260,000 will help the following organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with urgent needs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic: 
  • Alzheimer's Association of the Finger Lakes - $ 20,000
  • Alzheimer's Association of WNY - $20,000
  • Arc of Livingston Wyoming - $65,000
  • Camp Abilities - $5,000
  • Catholic Charities Community Services - $50,000
  • CDS Monarch - $35,000
  • School of the Holy Childhood - $50,000
  • Special Touch Bakery - $15,000

Grants totaling $5,500 from the Foundation’s  Bailey and Friends Fund   will go to the following organizations dedicated to animal welfare that are experiencing unexpected costs due to the COVID-19 outbreak:                              
  • Humane Society Naples, Florida - $2,000
  • SPCA in Cattaraugus County - $3,500
Golisano Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Building Virtual Opening Celebration Scheduled for June 18th
Golisano BHW Building
The new Golisano Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness Center will be opening soon! A virtual ribbon-cutting will be celebrated on June 18th and the building will open to patients by end of the month.

"We are all very excited for the opening," said Dr. Michael Scharf, Chief of Clinical Service, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "Behavioral health conditions impact one in five children and adolescents, leading to a variety of forms of suffering, impairment, and at times disability or life threatening situations. Currently only 20% of youth with these conditions ever see a mental health professional. Barriers to access, including service capacity, can lead to delays in care and situations worsening to crisis levels. The children and families of our region deserve better.

"And now, thanks to the generosity of Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, we are looking forward to taking a huge step forward in addressing the youth mental health crisis in our region and to serve as a national role model for responding to the crisis."
Highlights from Round 1 COVID-19 Response Grants Helping Organizations with Urgent Needs
We are pleased to share highlights of the innovative work being done with some of our first round of COVID-19 Response Grants . We applaud
everyone's creativity and dedication to keep essential services
going during these difficult times.
Grant Helps Heritage Christian Services Cover Unexpected Costs
" Heritage Christian Services is extremely grateful to receive funding from the Golisano Foundation. Its  swift action and investment has had a tremendous impact in so many people’s lives.“
-- Marisa Geitner, President and CEO
Heritage Christian Services (HCS) has seen financial disruptions in the form of decreased revenue, including cancelled fundraising events and increased expenses. This grant will cover unexpected costs from the COVID-19 outbreak, including thousands of mask and hundreds of gowns, face shields, thermal touchless thermometers, and other items to support 84 residential locations as well as other programs that remain open. HCS is also able to invest in new hardware and cloud-based software solutions that allow them to function remotely and transition workers out of office environments.
Best Buddies in Southwest Florida & NY Provide Virtual Programming
“Best Buddies is incredibly grateful for The Foundation's unwavering support for individuals with IDD during these incredibly challenging times. Thank you for the support and ensuring that our mission of inclusion continues to thrive.” --Anthony K. Shriver, Founder and Chairman, Best Buddies International
Best Buddies is working hard to ensure the population it supports has minimal impact on social programming, which is a critical need. Social distancing requirements have required fundraising and programs to be virtual. Programs now engage students at home through one-to-one interactions and in virtual group settings. The Foundation's grants will support general operating expenses and enable Best Buddies in Rochester, NY and Southwest Florida to provide virtual programming throughout the community that includes weekly trainings, virtual social hangouts, leadership trainings, and much more. 
SNIP Collier Continuing Outreach Efforts
During Shutdown
" Thanks to our tireless volunteers, community partners, and the generous financial help of Bailey & Friends, SNIP Collier was able to continue outreach efforts during the COVID-19 shutdown.  Thanks to all who pulled together to make life better for these animals and the families who love them!" -- Tom Kepp, Founder
Since March, SNIP Collier has been unable to offer normal spay and neuter services due to the closure of veterinarian partners. Donations from the community have also decreased and fundraisers cancelled. It has shifted its focus to distributing thousands of pounds of pet food and supplies to families hardest hit by the financial fallout and funded rescue and foster efforts to dogs and cats with new litters, until animal hospitals could resume their services. Funds from Bailey and Friends will support these efforts and offset transportation costs for medical care and emergency needs.
Wyoming County SPCA is Making it through Tough Times
"With the onset of COVID-19, the Wyoming County SPCA was faced with the reality that pets and the community would need them as much or more than ever. The gift from Bailey and Friends is an integral part of how we are making it through these tough times. " --Julie Long, President, Board of Directors
In addition to an increased need for help, the Wyoming County SPCA also saw an immediate decrease in donations as many donors became unemployed, and had to cancel fundraising events. Foreseeing these issues, it immediately increased inventory of necessary animal care supplies to cover two to three months of shelter operation and helped owners keep their pets by offering a limited supply of food. Funds received from Bailey and Friends will help pay for these essential supplies .
New Surgical Mask Assembly Line at Mozaic Finger Lakes Textile Facility Producing 3,000 Surgical Masks a Week
A big thanks to Mozaic for making an important contribution to the COVID-19 prevention effort. The new Surgical Mask Assembly line at Mozaic's Finger Lakes Textile Facility is currently cranking out 3,000 surgical masks per week and orders keep flooding in.

Edward Sayles, Director of Development says, "Had we not done the major building expansion, which was supported by a $30,000 grant from the Golisano Foundation in 2018, there would have been no room to set up this production line." 

Mozaic is the largest provider of services for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in NY's Finger Lakes region. Its dedicated staff of 600, assist and support 2,000-plus persons and their families in Cayuga, Yates and Seneca Counties. It is a state chapter of NYSARC, Inc. and a member of the national organization, The Arc.
Register Now for AADMD's 18th Annual
One Voice for Inclusive Health
Virtual Conference June 5-7th
AADMD One Voice 2020
Register now for AADMD's 18th annual   One Voice for Inclusive Health Conference June 5-7 , which will be virtual this year. AADMD is working to reverse healthcare inequality for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and this year you can do that from the comfort of your home. View everything live, in real-time OR view the recordings afterward at their convenience! And going virtual has more advantages - discounted prices. Breakouts start June 9th. View Agenda

During this virtual conference, you can: 
  • Watch plenary and breakouts live (or the recordings later)
  • Ask questions in real-time 
  • Interact with keynote speakers & panelists and engage with exhibitors 
  • Attend 40+ breakout sessions throughout June
  • Vote for your favorite poster presentation, earn continuing education
  • AND NETWORK through the conference app - Attendify
Special Olympics Health In the News!
Check out some of the many recent stories on Special Olympics' work to keep athletes healthy and advocate for access to care. See more stories here!
Special Olympian Chris Nikic trains to be first person with Down syndrome to complete Ironman
Special Olympics health officer on the challenges coronavirus poses for people with disabilities.  

WWE superstar Becky Lynch found a way to top 2019 and give back to Special Olympics


The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is devoted to opening doors to opportunity, changing negative perceptions and stereotypes, and forging unprecedented partnerships to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have pathways to personal dignity, independence and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes. Founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, and founder and chairman of Paychex, Inc. —the Foundation “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $45 million in gross assets and awards about $2 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

Bailey and Friends is a new component of the Golisano Foundation that is dedicated to supporting animal welfare in Western NY and Southwest Florida. With a focus on dogs and cats, Bailey and Friends is committed to working with shelters, rescue groups, veterinary clinics and other lifesaving programs to promote wellness, ensure safety and keep pets and families together.