Springbrook Receives $2.5 Million Challenge Grant

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B. Thomas Golisano, Buffalo Sabres owner and Paychex Corporation founder, made a surprise announcement on August 18, 2006 at a special press conference held at Springbrook's Main Campus that he is awarding Springbrook a $2.5 million challenge grant in support of Springbrook's planned residential school expansion.

Joined by State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Senator James Seward and other state leaders, Tom Golisano spoke enthusiastically about the tremendous work done by Springbrook.

The Golisano $2.5 million grant is the largest gift ever received by Springbrook, and will require the agency to raise another $2.5 million in matching support.

Tom and Heather Golisano immediately added to the excitement by pledging an additional $250,000, in effect becoming the first donors to match their own challenge grant.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno came forward with congratulatory remarks and a further surprise announcement that Senator Jim Seward was committing another $250,000. In less than 15 minutes, Springbrook had garnered a cool $3 million.

Springbrook Executive Director Patricia Kennedy greeted the news of Tom Golisano’s remarkable support with an incandescent smile and a hug, saying, “Tom, Heather and Jim, I can never thank you enough. It is a truly remarkable gift that will allow us to realize a vision for the education of many children. I promise you that Springbrook and I will do everything possible to match dollar for dollar your wonderful challenge!” "With this challenge, your faith and trust in our mission, will only inspire others to give."

Springbrook, already in the planning stages for a major fundraising effort, announced the formation of a special Campaign Planning Committee to help Springbrook launch this effort. Joining the Springbrook Campaign Planning Committee are a select group of corporate and community leaders including Wilber Bank President and CEO Doug Gulotty, Hartwick College Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. John Anderson, capital area business leader Tom Maggs of Maggs and Associates in Schenectady, Cooperstown entrepreneur Vincent Russo, Dr. Thomas Inkpen of the Centris Group, and Esther Nelson of Cooperstown. Russo, Inkpen, Anderson and Nelson are Springbrook Directors, and Mr. Russo serves as the agency’s current board president.

Springbrook’s planned expansion will increase the residential school’s census by 50%, add on-campus residential housing for students, new classrooms, reconfigure the Oneonta campus for future growth and expansion and create 100 new jobs.

Largely supported through NY state funding and IDEA bonds, the full cost of the Springbrook expansion may total as much as $25 million. The agency expects to need to raise as much as $5-6 million of this from private sources.

Coming Home – The Campaign for Springbrook