Inside Philanthropy

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Bloomberg Philanthropies

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OVERVIEW: Bloomberg Philanthropies is the umbrella giving vehicle for the myriad giving of Michael Bloomberg, the Wall Street billionaire and former New York City mayor. Bloomberg funds a range of topic areas through foundation, corporate, and personal giving, including public health, the environment and climate change, education, government innovation, and arts & culture.

IP TAKE: Bloomberg Philanthropies is one of the world’s largest philanthropies and a major force across its funding areas. Its work is highly initiative-driven and often involves active collaboration with national and municipal governments, intermediary partners and major institutions. As IP founder David Callahan has written, “few mega-givers better exemplify Big Philanthropy than Michael Bloomberg…he knows how to pull all the levers of influence that wealth can buy, mixing data-driven grantmaking with strategic political spending.”

In addition to grantmaking, Bloomberg Philanthropies oversees in-kind consulting for mayors through Bloomberg Associates and includes Bloomberg L.P.’s Corporate Philanthropy. These activities are important to the broader Bloomberg philanthropic ecosystem but are not standard grantseeker pathways.

Grantseekers should understand that Bloomberg Philanthropies generally does not accept unsolicited proposals. Regular grants are typically invitation-only, and the funder works mainly through existing partners, governments, signature initiatives, competitions and intermediaries. It does not fund work outside its focus areas or make grants directly to individuals, though some program-specific competitions and calls are periodically open.

The most realistic access points are city-government partnerships, existing grantee or intermediary networks, evidence-based policy implementation opportunities, and periodic competitions or open calls. Likely grantees include large universities, city governments, public-health NGOs, climate and energy advocacy or technical-assistance groups, global health organizations, arts institutions, city networks, implementation partners and selected institutions with close alignment to Bloomberg priorities. Small, unaffiliated organizations seeking general support—especially those without scalable, evidence-based work or connections to Bloomberg’s existing networks—are unlikely to gain traction.

For most nonprofits, the best strategy is to become visible within the issue networks, coalitions, city partnerships and intermediary channels Bloomberg already trusts. Grantseekers should monitor Bloomberg’s newsletter and relevant program pages for new competitions or calls, since opportunities evolve as the philanthropy expands and refines its work.

PROFILE: Bloomberg Philanthropies was founded in 2006 by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg is the founder of financial services, software and media company Bloomberg LP, and is one of the wealthiest people in the world, according to Forbes. Bloomberg has given away over $17 billion of his fortune over his lifetime, and he has committed to leaving his 88% stake in his company to Bloomberg Philanthropies when he dies.

Michael Bloomberg attended Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Business School before going to work on Wall Street at Salomon Brothers. He was given a $10 million severance package when Salomon was bought by George Soros’ Travelers Group. He then founded Innovative Market Systems, which delivered high-quality business information for investors. This was the start of Bloomberg’s empire, which was eventually renamed Bloomberg L.P. In 2001, Bloomberg mounted a successful campaign for Mayor of New York City, where he has served three terms. According to a recent annual report, Bloomberg encompass “encompasses Michael Bloomberg’s corporate, foundation and personal philanthropy.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies works “to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.” Grantmaking focuses on key areas that include: Public Health, Arts, Education, Environment, Cities — including Government Innovation and Bloomberg Associates — and Founder’s Projects, which provides support for issues of special interest to Michael Bloomberg. This latter area includes, but not limited to, Small Businesses, Disaster Relief and Women’s Economic Development.

Beyond these areas of focus, Bloomberg specifies five aspects of its approach to grantmaking. These are:

  • Addressing unmet needs
  • Identifying and engaging strong partners
  • Flexibility
  • Reliance on data.
  • Focusing on cities to drive progress

All told, Bloomberg runs close to 100 grantmaking programs and initiatives at any given time.

In addition to grantmaking, Bloomberg works includes a pro bono consultancy, Bloomberg Associates, which supports mayors of cities around the world, and Bloomberg’s Corporate Philanthropy program, which “looks to address unmet needs in the communities around the world in which Bloomberg L.P. employees live and work” through the “the time and talents of employees.”

Grants for Democracy, Community, and Global Development

Bloomberg’s Government Innovation and Cities grantmaking works to help cities “bring bold ideas to life and spread proven solutions to cities around the world.” According to Michael Bloomberg’s Annual Letter on Philanthropy, “By investing in mayors and local leaders, we can scale and spread change faster than ever — and help make this period of unprecedented urbanization a time of unprecedented global progress.” Indeed, a significant portion of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ work supports initiatives that help mayors and other city leaders tackle and solve problems of climate change, sustainability, economic development, public health and more.

Grants for Education and Economic Development

Bloomberg’s Education funding “works to ensure that all students have the skills and opportunities to succeed in the 21st century.” Grantmaking supports student success across K-12, higher education, and career/technical education. This area typically invests in expanding college access and success; career and technical education; K-12 education; and select educational institutions. Programs are mainly run through selected partners, schools, universities, city systems and institutions. Grant proposals are invitation only unless a program-specific competition is posted.

  • Advancing K-12 Education initiative focuses on “increasing high school graduation rates and, ultimately, college enrollment.”
  • Expanding College Access and Success aims to expand access to higher education through the American Talent Initiative, which works with colleges and universities to help them recruit high-achieving, lower-income students, and the CollegePoint program, which provides free virtual advising to students to help them apply to the nation’s top colleges.
  • Supporting Career and Technical Education supports “pilot and early-stage apprenticeship programs and works to build an evidence base of effective programs that can be shared and replicated across the country.” In 2026, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a first-of-its-kind national skilled trades initiative to change how high school students prepare for and enter Registered Apprenticeships and high-wage, family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades.
  • Educational Institutions invests in individuals “that have a special importance to Mike Bloomberg and make a real impact in their communities,” including medical schools at four historically Black colleges. Funding goes to organizations including the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity at Princeton University, Cornell Tech, the Georgina and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Service Fellows Program at NYU and Howard University School of Medicine, among others.
  • Bloomberg’s current Johns Hopkins page confirms a 2024 $1 billion gift to make Johns Hopkins medical school free for a majority of students and increase graduate financial aid; Founder’s Projects says total Bloomberg giving to Johns Hopkins has reached more than $3.5 billion.

Grants for the Environment, Climate and Ocean Conservation

In just a few years, Bloomberg Philanthropies has become a leading force on the climate mitigation front. On January 23, 2025, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, announced that “Bloomberg Philanthropies and other U.S. climate funders will ensure the United States meets its global climate obligations following the federal government’s intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement for the second time. This includes covering the funding gap left by the United States to UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and upholding the country’s reporting commitments.”

While Bloomberg has previously contributed to fill U.S.’s federal funding gap for climate change under the previous Trump administration, this latest effort marks a major escalation in climate funding support. Bloomberg also chairs the U.N.’s Climate Finance Leadership Initiative, which seeks “to increase private sector investment in clean energy and climate solutions in emerging markets.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Environment giving area reflects this commitment, which, as IP has reported, has expanded into renewable energies. Giving stems from separate initiatives that invest in clean-energy transition, air pollution reduction, ocean protection, city climate work and sustainable finance. Eligible grantees include mostly selected partners, governments, city networks and coalitions. Some city programs periodically run competitions.

  • Advancing Clean Energy aims broadly “to drive the transition away from coal and gas and toward clean energy alternatives.” The initiative is comprised of three subprograms and focuses entirely on the U.S.
  • Improving Air Quality works mainly with national and city governments around the world to involve “local partners and authorities to design and lead projects that accelerate the end of air pollution.”
  • Supporting Sustainable Cities “supports and collaborates with mayors and local partners to ensure cities have the resources they need to raise their ambition, share learnings, and make progress in the transition to a sustainable, healthy future.” Sustainable Cities ultimately supports cities and city networks with tools, data and other support.
  • Driving Sustainable Finance represents Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “efforts to increase transparency around the risks caused by climate change and boost sustainable investments in climate solutions.” This initiative runs several subprograms.
  • Bloomberg at COP reflects Bloomberg’s own participation in the UN climate agenda, as well as Bloomberg Philanthropies’ and Bloomgberg LP’s support for COP.
  • Protecting the Ocean works to “to ensure the ocean, key marine ecosystems and the billions who depend on them can survive and thrive.” This area partners with coastal communities, nonprofits, governments and research institutions.
  • Through Climate Book and Films, Mike Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies have made “raising awareness about the urgency of the protecting the planet an utmost priority, working with key partners to publish a book and release two documentaries that address environmental issues.”

Grants for Public Health and Reproductive Health

Bloomberg’s Public Health funding focuses on preventable causes of death and noncommunicable diseases around the world. Through its many initiatives, Bloomberg works in low- and middle-income areas to “save millions of lives by spreading solutions that have been proven to work.” Grants for pubic health invest in evidence-based public health strategies through partnerships with governments, communities and leading organizations. This program prioritizes giving primarily to selected NGO, government, university and multilateral partners; no general unsolicited proposals. Some road-safety/cycling infrastructure calls are city-facing and competitive.

  • Reducing Tobacco Use works broadly to help “cities and countries implement measures that are proven to reduce use and protect people from harm.” As IP has reported, tobacco cessation is an important feature of this funder’s work.
  • Promoting Healthy Food Choices focuses on obesity prevention by “raising public awareness of the problem and supporting policies to promote healthier diets.” Work here focuses on Food Policy and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Advocacy.
  • Combating the Overdose Epidemic targets “hard-hit states” and focuses on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and the removal of “legal and administrative barriers in the federal government that hinder people’s ability to access quality medication treatment and harm reduction services.”
  • Increasing Access to Reproductive Health Care prioritizes access to reproductive health services in developing countries. Bloomberg partnered with the government of Tanzania on a maternal health initiative for the Kigoma region and provides support to Family Planning 2030, “a global partnership that supports the rights of women and girls to make their own independent decisions about having children.”
  • Promoting Cardiovascular Health tackles this global crisis to “help prevent as many of these deaths as possible, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries where the majority of deaths occur.”
  • Preventing Drowning funds efforts in Bangladesh, Vietnam and Uganda, including swimming instruction for children, day care supervision, and data collection to develop a “cost-effective set of approaches to drowning prevention interventions.”
  • Improving Road Safety works with organizations and governments to improve road safety. Grantmaking targets low- and middle-income nations and supports activities in the areas of legislation, data collection, transportation infrastructure, vehicle safety and “road use behavior.”
  • Building Public Health Coalitions is a broad health initiative that encompasses three Bloomberg-launched efforts to “to spread effective strategies to improve health, advocate for smart policies, and reduce preventable deaths.”
  • Strengthening Health Data, co-funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Australian government, and the Gates Foundation, “partners with low- and middle-income countries to improve public health data and the use of data.”
  • Reducing Lead Poisoning works to improve blood level testing; identifying sources of lead; and supports work that enforces policy to strengthen regulation.
  • Improving Vision Care works with global partners to help “restore sight and expand access to vision screenings, cataract surgeries, and eyeglasses for millions of people in the United States and low-and middle-income countries.”
  • Eradicating Polio, since 2013, supports the global movement to rid the world of polio.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts grantmaking “supports artists and cultural organizations and improves audience experience to strengthen the creative landscape and quality of life in cities around the world.” Eligibility for funding is mixed here: many grants are selected/invitation-based. Some competitions have public calls for city governments and arts partners.

  • Through its Strengthening Local Arts Organizations initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies works in the U.S. to help “local arts and culture organizations continue innovating and enriching their communities.” IP has previously reported on this program in depth. Bloomberg Philanthropies has also provided critical support to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Perelman Performing Arts Center and The Shed, all of which are located in New York City.
  • Bloomberg Connects helps “audiences connect to culture online or onsite.” The initiative launched an app in 2019 that enables users to “makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices, anytime, anywhere.”
  • Supporting Public Art brings “mayors, local leaders and artists together to collaborate on temporary public art projects that start conversations, spur change, and strengthen communities across America.”
  • Advancing Arts Around the World is Bloomberg’s global arts initiative. In London, it supports the Serpentine Galleries, the London Mithraeum, Ice Watch and London Mastaba. It also funds International Biennales at museums around the world.
  • Funder Collaborations reflects partnerships with “like-minded funders and leading cultural nonprofits to strengthen the field of arts and culture around the world.”

Grants for Women and Girls

While all of Bloomberg’s grant areas intersect with supporting women and girls’ health and outcomes, Bloomberg Philanthropies names Women’s Economic Development as one of its Founder’s Projects and supports programs around the world that “create opportunities for women that lead to economic independence.”

  • As part of Bloomberg’s Founder’s Projects, this area is not an open grant opportunity or grant category.
  • Grantee partners in this area include Women for Women International, Nest, CARE and the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative, among others.
  • Bloomberg also invests in women’s health via its grantmaking for reproductive health outlined under Grants for Public Health.

Important Grant Details:

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ grantmaking generally takes the form of ongoing commitments in the millions or tens of millions. Bloomberg’s November 2024 program PDF says it distributed $3 billion in 2023; current annual report from 2025–2026 says Bloomberg works in 700 cities and 150 countries.

  • Bloomberg Philanthropies does not maintain a searchable public grants database. Public 990 data often lags, may aggregate multi-year commitments differently from press announcements, and does not always map cleanly to Bloomberg’s program labels.
  • This funder does not accept applications for funding, choosing instead to cultivate its own relationships with large nonprofits and NGOs.
  • A significant portion of this funder’s work supports city, state and national governments.
  • Bloomberg runs close to a dozen collaborative programs that bring mayors and other leaders from cities around the world together to address and solve shared problems related to climate change, health and more.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies does not maintain a grants database, but annual reports are available at the organization’s site, linked under the Who We Are tab at the top of the website.  
  • General inquiries may be submitted to Bloomberg Philanthropies via its online form.

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