'Beyond grateful': Chemung, Steuben groups react to multi-million-dollar Golisano donation

The Arc of Chemung-Schuyler and The Arc Allegany-Steuben were "shocked" and "beyond grateful" to learn that billionaire entrepreneur Tom Golisano is gifting each organization $5 million.

The non-profits were among 82 groups sharing in a collective $360 million donation announced Tuesday in Rochester.

Golisano's donation is supporting 26 organizations in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to the tune of $104 million.

The Arc Chemung-Schuyler said it will receive $1 million per year for five years. The donations were unrestricted, meaning the money can be used however each organization chooses. The Arc Chemung-Schuyler said the funds will help the group expand its efforts across its service area.

“The entire Arc Chemung-Schuyler family is beyond grateful for the generous, and completely unexpected, donation from Tom Golisano,” said Salvatore Garozzo, CEO of The Arc Chemung-Schuyler. “Through this funding, we can expand our efforts at improving the quality of life for the people we support and helping the service delivery system address the complex care needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The Arc Allegany-Steuben Executive Director Michael Damiano, meanwhile, said the gifts were a well-kept secret inside the Golisano organization and recipients were invited to the meeting without knowing what was on the agenda.

“There were a lot of people in the room, me included, who were in a state of shock when Mr. Golisano made the announcements," Damiano said.

Damiano said The Arc is "filled with gratitude for this extraordinary" $5 million donation.

"Mr. Golisano's longstanding commitment to building opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supporting their inclusion has improved the lives of people, the agencies that support them, and their communities for many years,” Damiano said. “Mr. Golisano's dedication to securing the dignity, health, and quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is truly awe-inspiring.”

More: Corning Harvest Fest set to take over Market Street Sept. 20-21. See schedule, attractions

Golisano, who founded Paychex, will also donate $1 million to the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, while the humane societies in Schuyler County and Yates County will net $1.5 million each.

“We are very grateful to Tom Golisano for his generosity and support, which will help to secure the SPCA’s future and our commitment to the community we serve," said Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA Executive Director Tom Geroy.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung, Steuben County groups react to major Tom Golisano donations