Full Breakdown
Renown Health Launches Standalone Children’s Hospital Project Backed by $40 Million Golisano Gift
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Development
Renown Health announced a $40 million donation from philanthropist and Paychex founder Tom Golisano to fund a new, dedicated children’s hospital in Reno, Nevada. The gift, the largest single philanthropic contribution in Renown’s history, will replace the current “hospital-within-a-hospital” model with a standalone campus that consolidates pediatric emergency, intensive care, neonatal, surgical and outpatient services. Construction timelines have not been released; the project will move forward through Washoe County and Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health approvals.
Background & Context
The donation is part of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a network of 21 children’s hospitals that expanded westward with Renown’s inclusion. The alliance was created in October 2025 with an initial $403 million commitment from Golisano, followed by a $125 million investment in April, bringing his personal contributions to $753 million. The $40 million for Renown is one of six gifts ranging from $30 million to $40 million announced simultaneously for hospitals in Minnesota, New Hampshire, Florida, Colorado and Tennessee.
Data & Statistics
- Gift amount: $40 million to Renown Health.
- Alliance recent allocation: $225 million to six hospitals.
- Renown Children’s Hospital currently operates a 55-bed Level III NICU and a 16-room PICU.
- The facility provides Northern Nevada’s only dedicated children’s emergency department and became the region’s only verified Level II pediatric trauma center in 2023.
- Approximately 4,000 babies are born at Renown each year; 84,000 children received care in 2025.
- The new campus will expand NICU and PICU capacity, add pediatric oncology infusion bays, surgical suites and behavioral-health outpatient spaces.
Official Statements & Responses
Renown President and CEO Dr. Brian Erling called the donation “transformational” for the health system and the community. Vice President of Women and Children’s Services Paige McCall said the gift will strengthen Renown’s teaching mission and improve access for families across Northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and Eastern California.
Tom Golisano, speaking for the alliance, noted the purpose is to ensure families do not have to travel long distances for high-quality pediatric care.
Greg Raymond, president of Children’s Hospital Colorado’s southern Colorado region, described similar donations as “extraordinary and transformative,” underscoring the alliance’s role in fostering collaboration among member hospitals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This $40 million investment from Tom Golisano is transformational for Renown and our community as we plan our new expanded children’s hospital,” — Brian Erling, MD, MBA, Renown Health President and CEO
- “These six hospitals take the Golisano Children's Alliance west for the first time, which means so much to me,” — Tom Golisano, Paychex founder
Impact on Regional Care
Renown’s new facility aims to eliminate the need for families to seek complex pediatric treatment in out-of-state centers such as Sacramento, San Francisco or Salt Lake City. By centralizing services, the hospital expects to attract additional pediatric specialists, enhance physician recruitment, and provide direct access to national research protocols shared through the alliance. The projected benefits include keeping critically ill children and their families together locally and reducing the emotional and financial burden of long-distance travel.
What’s Next
Renown Health will develop architectural schematics, select a campus site and submit licensing applications in the coming months. The alliance’s continued growth and the $225 million round of gifts signal ongoing investment in pediatric infrastructure nationwide, with the broader goal of reaching 40 member hospitals.
