Founded in 1985 with an initial gift of $90,000 from B. Thomas Golisano, the founder and Chairman of Paychex, the Foundation now has more than $28 million in gross assets and has awarded more than $17 million in grants, about $1.2 million annually, to non-profit organizations in a multi-county region surrounding Rochester, New York that serve people with developmental disabilities.
The Foundation has adopted the following guiding principles and focus areas:
Supports throughout the life span and transitions for individuals with IDD and their families and caregivers including but not limited to the following areas: Educational support at various stages of development as well as life-long learning opportunities; employment services including supported, career development, vocational and life skills training; year-round preventative health services, fitness activities, physical and emotional wellness; expanded residential options for community living; caregiver respite; recreation; transportation, assistive technology, community awareness and advocacy.
Community-wide strategies that can grow best practices and effective programs to transformative scale; are easy to replicate and share broadly with the field.
Interdisciplinary and interagency alliances/collaborations/coalitions that bring together the expertise and perspectives of various disciplines including non-traditional human services provides such as businesses, higher education institutions and government.
Initiatives that target individuals with IDD who are underserved, isolated and/or have difficulty accessing services and programs; work to eliminate structural, economic or cultural barriers to services.
Person-directed services and planning with individuals and families involved in the selection, implementation and monitoring of one's supports and services.
Holds the principles of social justice in highest regard as demonstrated by agency's mission, work and proposal; believes people with disabilities are powerful agents of change and that society as a whole benefits when all individuals reach their full potential and become contributing members of their community.
Applications for programs, capital projects and community planning initiatives related to the field of developmental disabilities will be given consideration.
Geographical Target Area – Western NY, Rochester, NY and Finger Lakes Region of NYS in Region 1 (see Map on website - click on Link below), Southwest Florida in Region 9 (see Map) .
Visit website (click on Link to More Info, below) for information on how to apply.
» Link to More Info
For Grantwriting/Program Development Assistance:
Grants Office
Phone: (585) 352-2773
Email: [email protected]