Special Olympics receives $25M donation, its largest single private gift, as 2015 games begin

The Special Olympics has received a $25 million donation, the largest single private gift in the organization's 47-year history.

The donation comes from the philanthropic foundation of Thomas Golisano, the founder and chairman of Paychex Inc. The Rochester, New York-based company is a payroll processor and human resources services provider.

Officials with the Golisano Foundation announced the donation Saturday during the opening of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The foundation says it will provide $25 million to expand the Special Olympics' health services globally for people with intellectual disabilities.

In 2012, Golisano donated $12 million to the Special Olympics to help it launch an initiative to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities receive access to health care in their communities on a year-round basis.