“The only wealth you get to keep is that which you give away,” Tom Golisano says with a pleasantly coy smile. The Naples philanthropic force has a secret, a surprise announcement that will impact Southwest Florida nonprofits in a major way.
On November 19, 41 nonprofit organizations gathered at Tom’s request, a mysterious invitation that beckoned leaders across five sectors (healthcare, education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, community service and animal welfare) to Artis—Naples. There, in the sunny, second-floor venue, the Paychex founder announced an $85 million, unrestricted financial gift to be divided among the organizations present in increments ranging from $150,000 to $10 million. Excited chatter and applause erupted from the group of community leaders including NCH President and CEO Paul Hiltz, SNIP Collier founder Tom Kepp and CEO of STARability Karen Govern.
Tom’s reputation for generosity and community service precedes him; this most recent announcement brings his life-long philanthropic contributions to $860 million. Among his many years of financial support for nonprofit work, this gift stands out for its personal significance. As Tom explained, the $85 million community investment was inspired by a tumultuous six weeks of health-related struggles—from his great-granddaughter’s open heart surgery to his 96-year-old sister’s hip replacement, to a series of fainting spells that led him to have a pacemaker implanted. “I applied for immortality and was denied,” he says. Instead, he’s crafting an immortal legacy through lives impacted now and in the future.
“Giving away that money is not that big of a deal for me,” Golisano says. When he considers the needs of Southwest Florida, his commitment to serving his beloved community and the ephemerality of wealth, the choice to give, he says, “was easy”.