Mike Bloomberg has always believed in the power of philanthropy to change people's lives for the better. Mike's parents instilled the principles of public service and giving back in him from a young age, and those same principles have guided him throughout his life. That's why he has committed so much of his time, energy and resources to the causes he believes in through Bloomberg Philanthropies. To date, he has donated more than $2.4 billion to a wide variety of causes and organizations. In 2011, $330 million was distributed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, placing Mike in the top five of The Chronicle of Philanthropy's list of America's top 50 philanthropists.

Bloomberg Philanthropies refers to all of Mike's charitable activities, including his personal giving and the Bloomberg Family Foundation. Bloomberg Philanthropies works primarily to advance five areas globally: the Arts, Education, the Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health.

About these initiatives:

Public Health: Includes an investment of over $600 million in combatting the growing number of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases by reducing global tobacco use; an investment in global road safety and a program in Tanzania to improve Maternal Health.

Environment: Serving as Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, Mike Bloomberg is working with the world’s largest cities to implement climate mitigation programs that will help reduce their green house gas emissions (GHGs); and an investment in the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign to help eliminate one-third of the nation’s top polluting coal plants by 2020.

Government Innovation: Includes investments to spread proven and promising ideas between cities, including the Innovation Delivery Team program to help mayors drive bold reform, as well as an investment in New York City’s efforts to improve outcomes for black and Hispanic young men.

Arts: Includes an investment in strengthening NYC arts and cultural organizations, which includes a world-class management training program for our 250 grantees, as well as a recent partnership with New York City tech start-up SeatGeek to make the unique New York cultural arts experience discoverable in a new, dynamic way.

Education: Includes targeted efforts to strengthen leadership within school communities and advance good public policy at the federal, state, and local levels.

Mike Bloomberg continues to be inspired by the generosity of others and hopes to encourage that same spirit of giving, whether it is money or talent or time, just as his parents did for him.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Launch of New Website Apr. 30, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies launched a new website featuring the first comprehensive look at all programs and initiatives in the organization's five key focus areas including Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation and the Arts.

WHO Releases Global Status Report on Road Safety 2013 with Support from Bloomberg Philanthropies Mar. 14, 2013 MikeBloomberg.com Only 28 countries, covering 7% of the world's population, have comprehensive road safety laws, according to a new World Health Organization report funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Mayors Challenge Winners Mar. 13, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies Providence was presented the Mayors Challenge Grand Prize for Innovation and a $5 million implementation award for its cutting-edge early education initiative. Mayors Challenge innovation prizes also were awarded to Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Santa Monica, all of which will receive $1 million to support implementation.

Bloomberg Philanthropies to Donate $100 Million to Help Global Initiative to End Polio Forever Feb. 28, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies The donation will help fund the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's (GPEI) six year plan to eradicate polio.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Launches Fan Favorite Selection for Mayors Challenge Feb. 20, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies Citizens can vote for their favorite idea among the 20 Mayors Challenge finalists.

Kelly Henning: Mayor Bloomberg Weighs in on the UN’s new Millennium Development Goals Feb. 1, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mike Bloomberg recently submitted a brief to the United Nations panel drafting a Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Mike Bloomberg Commits $350 Million to Johns Hopkins for Transformational Academic Initiative Jan. 26, 2013 Johns Hopkins University The total commitment - the largest ever to the university - lifts Bloomberg's lifetime giving to Johns Hopkins beyond $1 billion.

1.6 Billion People Now Covered Globally By New or Improved Road Safety Laws Jan. 18, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies released its first progress report on its Global Road Safety Program, a five-year, $125 million investment to reduce preventable road traffic deaths and injuries.

Bloomberg Philanthropies and Living Cities' CFE Fund Announce Five Cities Selected for $16.2 M In Financial Empowerment Center Grants Jan. 8, 2013 Bloomberg Philanthropies Investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Project Will Help Low-Income Families and Individuals Reduce Debt and Build Assets

Cities of Service Awards Nearly $1 Million to Help 18 Cities Implement High-Impact Volunteer Strategies Oct. 17, 2012 Cities of Service Grants from the Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund will support mayors who are harnessing the power of volunteers.

No Woman Should Die Giving Birth Oct. 5, 2012 The Daily Beast Too many women die in childbirth because of inadequate care. We can do better.

How to End Maternal Mortality Oct. 2, 2012 Bloomberg Philanthropies An innovative maternal health program in Tanzania funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies is projected to impact at least 50,000 mothers and their children over the next three years.

Environmental Defense Fund Announces Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant to Reduce Impact of Natural Gas Production Aug. 27, 2012 MikeBloomberg.com The funding will support the organization’s strategy of securing strong rules and developing industry best practices in states with intense natural gas production.

Fracking is Too Important to Foul Up Aug. 23, 2012 Washington Post The production of shale gas through fracking is the most significant development in the U.S. energy sector in generations.

Nearly 400 U.S. Cities Enter Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge Jul. 31, 2012 Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that 394 cities across the United States have entered the Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Supporting Global Family Planning Initiative Jul. 11, 2012 Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies will contribute $50 million to a new global family planning partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Cities of Service Launches New $2 Million Impact Volunteering Fund Jun. 17, 2012 CitiesofService.org The Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund is a $2 million fund administered by Cities of Service and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies to help cities use impact volunteering to tackle pressing local challenges. Grant sizes will range from $25,000 to $100,000 with larger amounts reserved for cities with multiple initiatives.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Launches Mayors Challenge Jun. 13, 2012 Bloomberg Philanthropies The Mayors Challenge is a competition to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life.

Op-Ed: Improving Financial Stability in America’s Cities Apr. 26, 2012 HuffingtonPost.com Through a partnership with Living Cities, Bloomberg Philanthropies will invest $16.2 million over the next three years to launch Financial Empowerment Centers in five other cities.

$16.2 Million Effort to Help Citizens Reduce Debt and Build Assets Apr. 26, 2012 NYC.gov Bloomberg Philanthropies and Living Cities announced a $16.2 million initiative to spread the Financial Empowerment Center model to cities across America.