Bloomberg Philanthropies

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.7 billion (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (primarily invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Varies by programme; competitive programmes typically 3-6 months
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $100+ million (most grants: $25,000 - $1 million)
• Geographic Focus: Global, with emphasis on cities and low- and middle-income countries

Contact Details

Website: www.bloomberg.org

Phone: 212-205-0100

Email: info@bloomberg.org

Address: 25 East 78th Street, New York, NY 10075

Application Portal (for competitive programmes only): apply.bloomberg.org/submit

Overview

Bloomberg Philanthropies was founded in 2006 by Michael R. Bloomberg, former three-term mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg L.P. Led by CEO Patricia E. Harris, the organisation encompasses all of Bloomberg's charitable giving, including foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies invested $3.7 billion globally, making Bloomberg the largest individual donor in America for the second consecutive year. Since its founding, the organisation has given over $21 billion, making Bloomberg the third-largest cumulative donor over 25 years behind Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. The organisation directs its resources to five issue areas: environment, public health, arts, government innovation, and education, with the mission of ensuring better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. Bloomberg Philanthropies operates in 700 cities across 150 countries, reaching millions of people. In 2024, major commitments included $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University for free medical school tuition, $600 million to historically Black medical schools, and $250 million for healthcare-focused high schools.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Mayors Challenge - $1 million per winning city; $50,000 per finalist A competition designed to spark innovative, replicable ideas for improving cities. In the most recent round, 24 cities with the most inventive ideas each received $1 million and operational assistance, while 50 finalists received $50,000 and participated in prototyping with residents. Application method: Competitive application process with specific deadlines announced on website.

Innovation Teams (i-teams) - Up to $500,000 per year for up to 3 years Small teams of experts in data analysis, design, and project management embedded in city halls to help mayors tackle their biggest priorities. The programme has reached over 100 cities, benefiting more than 100 million residents. i-teams have launched in U.S. and European cities. Application method: Competitive application process.

Asphalt Art Initiative - Up to $100,000 per project Grants for visual art interventions in public spaces in small and mid-sized U.S., Canadian, and Mexican cities (populations of 50,000+). The programme assists cities using art and design to improve street safety, revitalise public spaces, and engage communities. Has supported 100 projects in North America and Europe. Application method: Annual competitive application.

Public Art Challenge - Up to $1 million per project Supports collaboration between cities and artists/arts organisations for temporary public art installations. Applications must be submitted by the mayor or chief executive of the host city. Application method: Competitive, when programme is open.

Digital Accelerator for Arts Organisations - Grant amount varies Supports nonprofit cultural organisations in the U.S. and U.K. that have been in existence for at least 3 years with annual budgets of at least $500,000 (U.S.) or £500,000 (U.K.). Organisations receive a Bloomberg Tech Fellow and support during an accelerated 4-month planning phase. Application method: Competitive application when programme is open.

Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use - Varies Grants to organisations in low- and middle-income countries to reduce tobacco use. The initiative has invested $1.6 billion since 2005 and spans more than 110 countries. An additional $420 million was committed in 2023 over four years. Application method: Competitive grant programme jointly managed by Vital Strategies and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Data for Health Global Grants Programme - Varies Targeted to ministries of health, statistical agencies, and other relevant agencies at the national, subnational, or municipal levels in low- and middle-income countries. Helps countries strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems. Application method: Rolling basis through online portal.

Strategic Partnership Grants - $10 million - $100+ million Large strategic grants to established partner organisations working in Bloomberg Philanthropies' five focus areas. Application method: Invitation only.

Priority Areas

Environment

• Climate action and emissions reduction in cities
• Beyond Carbon initiative ($500 million committed in 2019, with additional $500 million in 2023)
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group support
• Ocean protection through Bloomberg Ocean Initiative (coral reefs, sustainable fishing)
• Coal plant closures through Beyond Coal campaign (318 U.S. coal plants retired by 2020; over 70% of all U.S. coal plants now retired)
• American Sustainable Cities ($200 million to 25 U.S. cities for emissions reductions)

Public Health

• Tobacco control in low- and middle-income countries
• Maternal health in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Drowning prevention ($60 million through 2027)
• Opioid prevention
• Vision initiatives
• Lead poisoning prevention
• COVID-19 recovery for arts organisations

Arts

• Strengthening local arts organisations through digital capacity building
• Public art that transforms urban spaces
• Bloomberg Arts Internship (2,250+ paid internships for public school students in seven cities)
• Bloomberg Connects app (1,250+ cultural institutions)
• Support for arts organisations post-COVID recovery

Government Innovation

• Data-driven decision making in city governments
• What Works Cities Certification
• Local Infrastructure Hub (helped win $4.6 billion in federal funding for 2,400+ localities)
• Financial Empowerment Centers
• Supporting mayors with innovative solutions to urban challenges

Education

• Financial aid for medical and graduate students
• American Talent Initiative (colleges enrolled 18,100+ additional Pell students)
• CollegePoint programme (70,000+ students provided free college advising)
• Healthcare-focused high schools
• College access and completion for high-achieving, lower-income students

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited grant proposals (works through invitation and targeted competitions only)
• Direct grants to individuals
• Projects outside the five focus areas (environment, public health, arts, government innovation, education)
• Permanent public art installations (Asphalt Art Initiative focuses on temporary interventions)
• 100% project costs for Public Art Challenge projects
• Projects in countries not meeting income criteria for specific programmes (e.g., Data for Health focuses on low- and middle-income countries)

Governance and Leadership

Michael R. Bloomberg - Founder Former three-term mayor of New York City (2002-2013) and founder of Bloomberg L.P. Bloomberg joined The Giving Pledge and has stated, "I've never understood people who wait until they die to give away their wealth. Why deny yourself the satisfaction?" His philosophy: "If you want to fully enjoy life—give." Bloomberg brings a data-driven approach to philanthropy, stating that the key to the overarching strategy is "using data to first identify problems, then target solutions and measure progress."

Patricia E. Harris - Chief Executive Officer Harris is the first and only CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies, overseeing all programmes focused on arts, education, environment, government innovation, and public health. She is the first woman in New York City history to serve as First Deputy Mayor, a role she held from 2006-2013 under Mayor Bloomberg after serving as Deputy Mayor from 2002-2005. Harris oversees the organisation's $3.7 billion in annual investments reaching millions across 700 cities and 150 countries.

Leadership Team:

• Allison Jaffin - Chief Operating Officer
• Tarara Deane-Krantz - Chief of Staff
• Jemma Read - Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy
• Rachel Nagler - Head of Global Communications
• Antha N. Williams - Lead Environment Programme
• James Anderson - Lead Government Innovation
• Verna Eggleston - Lead Women's Economic Development
• Garnesha Ezediaro - Lead Greenwood Initiative

On Their Approach: Harris and the team emphasise a data-driven, partnership-based approach. They are "completely attuned to and in many ways sympathetic to the notion that funders who demand a lot of documentation from arts grantees are maybe not doing anyone a favor" and focus on metrics that "really matter." The organisation is known for flexibility to respond to new challenges, working closely with city leaders, and breaking down complicated issues through strong partnerships across fields and industries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Most Grants: Invitation Only Bloomberg Philanthropies does not accept unsolicited grant proposals for the majority of its funding. The organisation works with existing partners on all of its key initiatives and cultivates its own relationships with large nonprofits and NGOs. According to the foundation, they are "always open to new ideas from new sources," but formal unsolicited applications are not accepted.

For Competitive Programmes: Online Applications Opportunity exists through approximately 100 specific competitions and contests across Bloomberg Philanthropies' programmes. When these programmes are open, applications are submitted through the online portal at apply.bloomberg.org/submit.

Current Competitive Programmes Include:

• Mayors Challenge (announced periodically)
• Innovation Teams (i-teams) - applications when expansion announced
• Asphalt Art Initiative - annual applications
• Public Art Challenge - when programme is open
• Digital Accelerator - when programme cycle opens
• Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use - rolling applications
• Data for Health Global Grants Programme - rolling applications

Pre-Application Requirements:

• Check eligibility criteria specific to each programme
• Most programmes require city government or organisational partnership
• Specific budget thresholds for some programmes (e.g., $500,000+ for Digital Accelerator)
• Geographic restrictions apply to specific programmes

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary significantly by programme:

Competitive Programmes: Typically 3-6 months from application deadline to announcement

• Mayors Challenge: Multi-stage process with finalists announced, then winners
• Asphalt Art Initiative: Annual process, winners announced in spring
• Digital Accelerator: Accelerated phase is months 1-4 following acceptance

Invitation-Only Grants: Timelines are not publicly disclosed as these are negotiated directly with partners

Notification Methods:

• Email notification for competitive programmes
• Public announcements on bloomberg.org and through press releases
• Winners typically featured on programme-specific websites

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available for most Bloomberg Philanthropies programmes due to the invitation-only nature of the majority of their grantmaking.

For competitive programmes:

• Mayors Challenge: 24 winners from hundreds of applications (highly competitive)
• Asphalt Art Initiative: 10-26 cities selected annually from eligible cities
• Success rates vary widely depending on the programme and quality of applications

The organisation notes that most grants fall in the $25,000 to $1 million range, though strategic grants can reach $10 million to over $100 million.

Reapplication Policy

For Competitive Programmes: Cities and organisations that are not selected are typically welcome to apply in subsequent rounds if they remain eligible.

For Existing Grantees: Bloomberg Philanthropies tends to provide ongoing support for existing grantee partners, with many long-term strategic partnerships spanning multiple years or decades.

No specific waiting periods are published for reapplication to competitive programmes.

Application Success Factors

Data-Driven Approach is Essential

Bloomberg Philanthropies places high emphasis on data and measurable outcomes. As Bloomberg himself stated, the key approach is "using data to first identify problems, then target solutions and measure progress." Successful applications demonstrate:

• Clear baseline data and metrics
• Evidence-based solutions
• Plans for measuring impact
• Ability to track and report outcomes

Innovation and Replicability

The organisation seeks solutions that can be scaled or replicated in other cities or contexts. The Mayors Challenge specifically looks for "innovative, replicable ideas for improving cities." Projects should:

• Address challenges that are overlooked or underfunded
• Offer innovative approaches to significant problems
• Have potential for replication in other cities or contexts
• Break down complicated issues into actionable solutions

Partnership and Collaboration

Bloomberg Philanthropies values strong partnerships across fields and industries. Successful projects often involve:

• Multi-stakeholder collaboration (government, nonprofits, community groups)
• Cross-sector partnerships
• Engagement with community members (e.g., Asphalt Art projects have engaged nearly 5,000 residents)
• Commitment from city leadership

Focus on Cities and Urban Solutions

With Bloomberg's background as mayor, the organisation has a strong focus on city-level interventions. They work closely with mayors and city leaders, particularly in areas like:

• Municipal government innovation
• Urban climate action
• City-based public health interventions
• Arts and culture in urban settings

Track Record and Organisational Capacity

For programmes accepting applications:

• Many require organisations to have been operating for at least 3 years
• Budget minimums demonstrate organisational capacity (e.g., $500,000+ annual budget)
• Experience managing similar-scale projects is valued

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

2024 Education Grants:

• $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University for free medical school tuition for students from families earning less than $300,000
• $600 million to four historically Black medical schools to bolster endowments
• $250 million over five years for 10 healthcare-focused high schools

City Innovation:

• $200 million for American Sustainable Cities initiative supporting 25 U.S. cities with emissions reductions
• Local Infrastructure Hub helped 2,400+ localities win $4.6 billion in federal funding

Public Health:

• $150 million investment in health partnerships (July 2024)
• $60 million for drowning prevention through 2027
• Maternal health expansion in Tanzania, Malawi, and Nigeria

Arts:

• Asphalt Art Initiative: 50% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians/cyclists in project areas, 27% increase in drivers yielding
• Bloomberg Arts Internship expanded to Detroit and New Orleans in 2024

Common Success Factors

Projects that succeed typically demonstrate:

• Alignment with one or more of the five focus areas
• Strong leadership commitment (particularly city leadership for municipal grants)
• Community engagement and co-design
• Practical, implementable solutions
• Value for money and efficient use of resources
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt based on data

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Understand the invitation-only model: Bloomberg Philanthropies primarily works through cultivated partnerships rather than open applications. For new organisations, focus on the competitive programmes (Mayors Challenge, Asphalt Art, Digital Accelerator, etc.) rather than general grant applications.

• Emphasise data and measurable impact: Bloomberg's approach is fundamentally data-driven. Applications must demonstrate clear baseline data, evidence-based interventions, and robust plans for measuring outcomes. This is not optional—it's central to their funding philosophy.

• Think about scale and replication: Bloomberg Philanthropies favours solutions that can be replicated across cities or scaled to reach more people. Even if your project is local, articulate how lessons learned could benefit others.

• Build city partnerships for municipal programmes: For programmes like Mayors Challenge, Asphalt Art Initiative, and i-teams, you need strong city government partnership. Applications submitted without genuine mayor or city leadership support are unlikely to succeed.

• Focus on the five priority areas only: Don't try to stretch your project to fit if it doesn't genuinely align with environment, public health, arts, government innovation, or education. Bloomberg Philanthropies is highly focused and doesn't fund outside these areas.

• Demonstrate innovation within proven frameworks: The organisation values both innovation and evidence. Show how your approach is innovative while being grounded in what works. They fund solutions to problems that are overlooked or underfunded, not just incremental improvements to well-funded areas.

• Be ready for partnership and engagement: Bloomberg Philanthropies provides more than money—they offer technical assistance, peer learning, and operational support. Show that your organisation is ready to engage actively with the funder and learn from other grantees.

References

1. Bloomberg Philanthropies Official Website. (2025). All Programmes. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/all-programs/

2. Bloomberg Philanthropies. (2024-2025). Annual Report 2024-2025. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/annualreport/

3. Inside Philanthropy. Bloomberg Philanthropies Grantmaker Profile. Retrieved from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-b/bloomberg-philanthropies

4. Wikipedia. (2025). Bloomberg Philanthropies. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomberg_Philanthropies

5. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Approach. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/approach/

6. Candid (Foundation Directory). The Bloomberg Family Foundation Inc. Retrieved from https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=BLOO422

7. Chronicle of Philanthropy. (2025, March). Michael Bloomberg Tops List of America's Biggest Donors for the Second Year in a Row. Retrieved from https://www.philanthropy.com/article/michael-bloomberg-tops-list-of-americas-biggest-donors-for-the-second-year-in-a-row

8. The Giving Pledge. Michael R. Bloomberg. Retrieved from https://givingpledge.org/pledger?pledgerId=172

9. TIME. (2025). TIME100 Philanthropy: Michael Bloomberg. Retrieved from https://time.com/collections/time100-philanthropy-2025/7286082/michael-bloomberg-titan/

10. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Mayors Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/government-innovation/spurring-innovation-in-cities/mayors-challenge/

11. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Asphalt Art Initiative. Retrieved from https://asphaltart.bloomberg.org/

12. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Digital Accelerator. Retrieved from https://digitalaccelerator.bloomberg.org/

13. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Innovation Teams. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/government-innovation/spurring-innovation-in-cities/

14. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Patricia E. Harris. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/team/patricia-e-harris/

15. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Data for Health. Retrieved from https://dataforhealth.bloomberg.org/

16. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/public-health/reducing-tobacco-use/bloomberg-initiative-to-reduce-tobacco-use/

17. Bloomberg Philanthropies. American Talent Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.org/education/expanding-college-access-and-success/american-talent-initiative/

18. Bloomberg Philanthropies. Beyond Carbon. Retrieved from https://www.beyondcarbon.org/

19. CNBC. (2025, March). America's top donor Michael Bloomberg gifted $3.7 billion last year. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/07/billionaire-michael-bloomberg-dont-wait-too-long-to-give-wealth-away.html

20. Inside Philanthropy. (2019, November). The Bloomberg Philanthropy Files: What Can We Learn From $8 Billion in Giving? Retrieved from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2019-11-25-the-bloomberg-philanthropy-files-what-we-can-learn-from-his-8-billion-in-giving

All sources accessed November 2024.