Special Olympics New York Awarded $350,000 Grant from Golisano Foundation

Grant to Support Post-Graduation Athletic Opportunities for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Albany, NY – Thanks to the invaluable contributions of the Golisano Foundation, Special Olympics NY is taking the next step in continuing opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities. With a recent generous grant of $350,000, the nonprofit sports organization will enhance its high school and college Unified Sports programs by ensuring athletes have a place to continue participating after graduation.

“Our goal is to take those students who are playing Unified and make sure they know they have a home with us for life,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics NY. “We are so proud of the work we’ve done, and we look forward to achieving even more thanks to our partners at the Golisano Foundation.”

Special Olympics NY will employ a variety of tactics to fulfill this goal, including establishing transition committees, working with school transition coordinators, providing schools with graduation packets and resources, and creating new teams for athletes who need them.

“The Golisano Foundation is pleased to support these life-changing programs,” said Erica Dayton, Executive Director of the Golisano Foundation. “We look forward to Special Olympics NY’s continued success in making New York more inclusive through increased post-secondary opportunities.”

Through this funding, Special Olympics NY anticipates a yearly influx of school-age athletes into its community programs. With the help of their coaches and transition coordinators, these athletes will discover continuing opportunities near them. And, with that assistance, these individuals will kickstart the next generation of community program athletes.

Plan implementation has already begun this year and will continue into 2026.

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About the Golisano Foundation

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, civic leader, and founder 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 $120 million in gross assets, it awards about $5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

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