Report Shows Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's Extensive and Innovative Use of Public-Private Partnerships, Including Expansion of Initiatives and More Than $1.4 Billion in Fundraising

Case Studies Highlight Lessons and Best Practices for Leaders Seeking to Implement Similar Partnerships in Their Cities

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the Bloomberg Administration, New York City expanded the scope and purpose of private sector collaborations, and improved their effectiveness and management structure, according to a report released today by Freedman Consulting, LLC and Bloomberg Philanthropies at the inaugural Robin Hood Investors Conference in New York City. A dozen non-profit organizations working directly with New York City agencies have raised more than $1.4 billion in philanthropic contributions collectively since 2002.

These partnerships galvanized businesses, non-profits, philanthropies, and individual supporters to solve problems in areas from education and criminal justice, to the environment and health. The report details projects that have had a great impact on New York City, such as the High Line, the Applied Sciences initiative, and the extensive relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy, providing a roadmap for leaders seeking to implement similar approaches. 

"Under the leadership of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, private partners have begun to collaborate with city government in ways that push new boundaries and allow government to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit," said Tom Freedman, President of Freedman Consulting, LLC. "Today, cities across the country are facing increasing austerity and complex policy problems. Similar partnerships can play a role in delivering new models of service."  

The report "The Collaborative City: How Partnerships Between Public and Private Sectors Can Achieve Common Goals," examines the evolution, use, and implementation of public-private partnerships using the transformation of New York City as the prime case study.  The full report is available at http://bit.ly/1h58wrt

Twenty-one discrete partnerships under the Bloomberg Administration are highlighted to provide examples of collaboration such as the Young Men's Initiative and Million TreesNYC. The three lead organizations – Mayor's Fund of New York City, the Fund for Public Schools and the Fund for Public Health – raised over a $1 billion of the overall $1.4 billion in philanthropic contributions. Interviews with city, philanthropic, and business leaders involved in partnerships along with additional research revealed that: 

• Professionalizing the management of partnerships – by increasing accountability, transparency, and collaboration – provided funding partners the incentive needed to both make an initial contribution and invest long-term in achieving an initiative's intended impact.
  
• The New York City experience shows that partnerships can be used in many more diverse ways than was previously envisioned. New types of cross-sector collaboration have allowed the city to address longstanding issues in creative ways, and provide a cutting-edge model for understanding the role of partnerships in addressing city needs.

"There is always a limit to government resources, but through public-private partnerships, we've been able to launch innovative programs that expand and improve government services," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "These partnerships have also played a crucial role in our ability to test new approaches to old problems - and to evaluate how effectively particular initiatives are serving our residents."

"In my lifetime, there has never been a better time for public-private partnerships," said David Saltzman, Executive Director of the Robin Hood Foundation. "Over the past 12 years, Mayor Bloomberg and the people in his administration have been focused on improving how government works to serve the people of New York."

About The Robin Hood Foundation
Since 1988 Robin Hood has focused on finding, funding, and creating programs and schools that generate meaningful results for families in New York's poorest neighborhoods. Over its 25 year history, Robin Hood has distributed more than $1.25 billion to hundreds of New York City-based soup kitchens, homeless shelters, schools, job training programs, and other vital services that give New York's neediest citizens the tools they need to build better lives for themselves and their families.  In addition, Robin Hood's board of directors pays all administrative, fundraising and evaluation costs, so 100% of your donation goes directly to organizations helping New Yorkers in need. For more information visit  www.robinhood.org/  

About Freedman Consulting, LLC
Freedman Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm located in Washington, D.C., provides strategic consulting, communications planning, and policy development.  Headed by Tom Freedman, who served in the Clinton Administration as Senior Advisor to the President, and co-founder of the non-profit organization the Welfare to Work Partnership, the firm builds upon diverse experience in politics, policy, communications, high-level marketing, and philanthropy. It advises and supports a broad range of clients, including major foundations, elected officials, non-profit organizations, political campaigns, and Fortune 500 companies. More information about Freedman Consulting, LLC, can be found at www.tfreedmanconsulting.com

About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies' mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation, which includes the Mayors Challenge, and the Arts. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2012, $370 million was distributed. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org

SOURCE Bloomberg Philanthropies