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The Philanthropy 50: Americans Who Gave the Most in 2008
Michael R. Bloomberg
Rank: 9
Total amount committed in 2008: $235-million
Location: New York, New York
Source of wealth: Media and entertainment
Donor's background: Mr. Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, founded Bloomberg LP, a financial-data and news-service company in New York.
Mr. Bloomberg, 66, gave a total of $235-million to 1,200 nonprofit groups focused on the arts, education, health care, and social services. Recipients included Johns Hopkins Medicine, in Baltimore, to support a children's hospital; the Robin Hood Foundation, a New York organization that works to fight poverty; and Stand Up to Cancer, a Pasadena, Calif., organization that supports cancer research and efforts aimed at advancing treatment for cancer patients. He would not say exactly how much money he gave to those three organizations or identify other charities to which he gave.
Mr. Bloomberg said in 2007 that he planned to concentrate full time on his philanthropy when he leaves office at the end of this year. To that end he established the Bloomberg Family Foundation, in New York, and asked the Conflicts of Interest Board of the City of New York to advise him about whether he could diversify the investments he makes personally, and those of his new foundation, without violating his responsibilities as mayor. The board ruled that he could diversify his investments as long as the identities of the money managers and the investments they make are kept secret from him.
But life as a full-time philanthropist may have to wait. In October, Mr. Bloomberg asked New York's City Council to ease the term limits for New York mayors (who are usually allowed to serve only two terms) so that he could run for office again this year and serve a third term if he wins.
He caused controversy when he asked leaders of some New York nonprofit groups, who in past years have received donations from him, to support his bid to run for a third term.
"These are all groups that the mayor has been working with closely over the last seven years to try to craft new solutions to our biggest challenges, including poverty, public health, and education and economic development. The mayor's monetary contributions to them are only a very small part of his work with them," said Stu Loeser, an aide to Mr. Bloomberg, in an e-mail message to The Chronicle.
The bid passed, and while Mr. Bloomberg has not formally kicked off his campaign, he has signaled that he intends to run for a third term.
About These Data
The giving figures listed for each individual are based on donations announced to date by the donors or their beneficiaries. In cases of bequests, most of the figures are estimates because the wills have not been settled. For news of gift announcements in 2009, visit the America's Top Donors database.
If you know about a recent gift of $1-million or more that should be added to this directory, please send a message to gifts@philanthropy.com.