Bloomberg.org Menu

Engage strong partners

Look for unmet needs

Focus on cities

Remain flexible

Lead from the front

Rely on data

Utilize advocacy and lobbying

Ensuring better, longer lives for the greatest number of people

Annual Report 2020

Bloomberg Philanthropies works to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people by focusing on five key areas – arts, education, environment, government innovation, and public health – as well as through founder’s projects, the pro bono consultancy Bloomberg Associates, and corporate philanthropy at Bloomberg L.P.

In 2020 this included the launch of many new efforts to meet urgent challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

$1.6B Invested in 2020

810 Cities

170 Countries

Download the Report

Michael Bloomberg

“Despite all that we faced in 2020, I’m more optimistic than ever about our ability to tackle the big challenges we face. To succeed, it’s imperative that we apply what we have learned during the pandemic.”

Michael R. Bloomberg

Annual Letter on Philanthropy

“Despite the pandemic’s disruptions, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ work has continued forward. It’s a real tribute to the expertise and experience of the entire Bloomberg team both at our foundation and the company, Bloomberg L.P.”

Patricia E. Harris

CEO Letter

Patti Harris

COVID-19 Response

Click on the cities below to learn about our global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Encompassing all of Mike Bloomberg’s giving, Bloomberg Philanthropies includes his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works with mayors in cities around the world.

Mike has committed the vast majority of the profits from Bloomberg L.P., the global financial technology, data, and media company that he founded in 1981, to support the work of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Bloomberg Philanthropies works to improve the lives of millions of people in 810 cities and 170 countries. In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies invested $1.6 billion around the world. Over his lifetime, Mike Bloomberg has so far given $11.1 billion to philanthropy.

About the opening video

05:00 AM
Almofala, Brazil
The sun rises off the Brazilian coast and a new day begins for fishermen supported by Vibrant Oceans, a sustainable fishing initiative. Credit: Bento Viana Photography
The sun rises off the Brazilian coast and a new day begins for fishermen supported by Vibrant Oceans, a sustainable fishing initiative. Credit: Bento Viana Photography
06:00 AM
Kigali, Rwanda
At Question Coffee Cafe, women trained by partners of the Women Economic Development program begin roasting and brewing coffee grown by their fellow female entrepreneurs. Credit: Relationship Coffee Institute
People around the world begin their day with coffee grown and roasted by women trained by partners of the Women Economic Development program. Credit: Clay Enos
07:00 AM
San Jose, U.S.A.
Sanitation workers begin their routes, collecting trash that would have been illegally dumped if not for support from What Works Cities—a program that helps cities use data to improve government services. Credit: San Jose Environmental Services Department
Sanitation workers begin their routes, collecting trash that would have been illegally dumped if not for support from What Works Cities—a program that helps cities use data to improve government services.
08:00 AM
Matlab, Bangladesh
Children play at their new community daycares, part of a Bloomberg-supported Johns Hopkins University study to prevent drownings.
Children play at their new community daycares, part of a Bloomberg-supported Johns Hopkins University study to prevent drownings.
09:00 AM
Kigoma Region, Tanzania
Mothers arrive seeking care provided by local medical professionals, ready to help women and children across the country thanks to the support of the Maternal Health program.
Mothers arrive seeking care provided by local medical professionals, ready to help women and children across the country thanks to the support of the Maternal Health program.
10:00 AM
Landsberg, Germany
Here at this state of the art crash-test facility, vehicles from around the world are tested to ensure that they are held to the same standard. This partner facility is part of the Global Road Safety Initiative’s work to save lives.
Here at this state of the art crash-test facility, vehicles from around the world are tested to ensure that they are held to the same standard. This partner facility is part of the Global Road Safety Initiative’s work to save lives.
11:00 AM
Dallas, U.S.A.
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre, like 260 other cultural organizations across U.S. cities, is able to thrive with support from the Art Innovation Management program. Credit: The Dallas Dance Project/The Dallas Black Dance Theatre
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre, like 260 other cultural organizations across U.S. cities, is able to thrive with support from the Art Innovation Management program. Credit: The Dallas Dance Project
12:00 PM
Boston, U.S.A.
Budding scientists think about, question, and engage with the world around them at the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center at the Museum of Science, newly named in honor of Mike Bloomberg’s parents.
Budding scientists get ready to enter the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center at the Museum of Science, newly named in honor of Mike Bloomberg’s parents.
01:00 PM
Cape Town, South Africa
Bloomberg L.P. employees meet and mentor students as part of Bloomberg Startup, a program designed to inspire and support the next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs.
Bloomberg L.P. employees meet and mentor students as part of Bloomberg Startup, a program designed to inspire and support the next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs.
02:00 PM
Moapa, Nevada
Here in Moapa, Nevada, like in communities across the U.S., people are organizing grassroots support to close coal-fired power plants as part of the Beyond Coal campaign. Credit: Sierra Club
Here in Moapa, Nevada, like in communities across the U.S., people are organizing grassroots support to close coal-fired power plants as part of the Beyond Coal campaign. Photo credit: Sierra Club
03:00 PM
São Paulo, Brazil
Farmers around São Paulo are better able to access urban markets thanks to innovative ideas being piloted with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge. The city, and its idea, was the 2016 winner of the Latin America & Caribbean regional challenge. Credit: Fernando Pereira
Farmers around São Paulo are better able to access urban markets thanks to innovative ideas being piloted with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge. The city, and its idea, was the 2016 winner of the Latin America & Caribbean regional challenge. Credit: Fernando Pereira
04:00 PM
Queens & Brooklyn, U.S.A.
Over 11,000 Bloomberg L.P. employees volunteer each year. Here they are planting beach grasses at the Marian Heiskell Nursery with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.
Over 11,000 Bloomberg L.P. employees volunteer each year. Here they are planting beach grasses at the Marian Heiskell Nursery with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.
05:00 PM
Miami, U.S.A.
Mayors, artists, academics and other leaders gather to exchange ideas to solve the toughest urban challenges at convenings and events throughout the year. Here, urban thinkers from 35 countries have the chance to engage with the latest ideas at CityLab in Miami, Florida.
Mayors, artists, academics and other leaders gather to exchange ideas to solve the toughest urban challenges at convenings and events throughout the year. Here, urban thinkers from 35 countries have the chance to engage with the latest ideas at CityLab in Miami, Florida.
06:00 PM
Beijing, China
With more than 7,000 member cities around the world, the Bloomberg-supported Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy convenes leaders to discuss efforts to combat climate change.
With more than 7,000 member cities around the world, the Bloomberg-supported Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy convenes leaders to discuss efforts to combat climate change.
07:00 PM
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, U.S.A.
Scientists at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, pursuing life-saving medical research, complete their lab work.
Scientists at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, pursuing life-saving medical research, complete their lab work.
08:00 PM
Ann Arbor, U.S.A.
Trained advisors from the CollegePoint program help high school students prepare for the college admission process by communicating through SMS text messaging and video chat, answering questions and encouraging students along the way.
Trained advisors from the CollegePoint program help high school students prepare for the college admission process by communicating through SMS text messaging and video chat, answering questions and encouraging students along the way. Credit: Mark Gjukich
09:00 PM
Mexico City, Mexico
Commuters heading home see subway ads that highlight the dangers of sugary beverages, part of the Obesity Prevention program’s efforts around the world. Photo Credit: Dzilam Méndez
Commuters heading home see subway ads that highlight the dangers of sugary beverages, part of the Obesity Prevention program’s efforts around the world. Photo Credit: Dzilam Méndez
10:00 PM
Shanghai, China
Shanghai celebrates its smoke-free law, adopted with support from the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, by displaying tobacco control messages on its skyline.
Shanghai celebrates its smoke-free law, adopted with support from the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, by displaying tobacco control messages on its skyline.
11:00 PM
Across the U.S.A.
Communities in Los Angeles, Upstate New York, Spartanburg, and Gary celebrate public art projects that address local challenges supported by the Public Art Challenge.
Communities in Los Angeles, Upstate New York, Spartanburg, and Gary celebrate public art projects that address local challenges supported by the Public Art Challenge. Here images displayed on the cement banks of the Los Angeles River raise awareness about water conservation.
12:00 AM
Bangkok, Thailand
Pedestrians safely browse storefronts along a busy street protected by temporary barriers, work supported by the Global Road Safety initiative.
Pedestrians safely browse storefronts along a busy street protected by temporary barriers, work supported by the Global Road Safety initiative.
01:00 AM
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Young girls do some late-night reading with light from their solar-powered Little Sun lamps, a Bloomberg-backed social enterprise. Photo Credit: Michael Tsegaye
Young girls do some late-night reading with light from their solar-powered Little Sun lamps, a Bloomberg-backed social enterprise. Photo Credit: Michael Tsegaye
02:00 AM
Athens, Greece
The night continues filled with voices of tourists from around the world, attracted to the city by renewed tourism efforts with the help of Bloomberg Associates. Credit: Athens Development and Destination Management Agency
The night continues filled with voices of tourists from around the world, attracted to the city by renewed tourism efforts with the help of Bloomberg Associates. Credit: Athens Development and Destination Management Agency
03:00 AM
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Corals on the Great Barrier Reef and around the world are dying because of warmer water resulting from global climate change. 50 Reefs, a new Bloomberg-supported initiative, seeks to save these habitats. Photo Credit: The Ocean Agency
A clownfish rests in an anemone on one of the world’s great coral reefs. 50 Reefs, a new Bloomberg-supported initiative, seeks to save these habitats from the threats of climate change. Photo Credit: The Ocean Agency
04:00 AM
Bogotá, Colombia
Bloomberg Associates is supporting the city of Bogotá to undertake a homeless count and strategic planning effort to help the city’s residents who are most in need, no matter the time of day.
Bloomberg Associates is supporting the city of Bogotá to undertake a homeless count and strategic planning effort to help the city’s residents who are most in need, no matter the time of day.
1 / 24