Grantmakers in the News

June 1, 2008

Michael Bloomberg and David Rockefeller Announce a $10 Million Joint Pledge to MillionTreesNYC

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and philanthropist David Rockefeller have joined funding forces to pledge $10 million to MillionTreesNYC. MillionTreesNYC is a public/private venture established to plant trees in public spaces in New York City over the next ten years. The $10 million donation will be used to plant over 18,000 trees throughout the five boroughs, including in all nine of the New York Housing Authority's housing developments in East Harlem, and in New York City public school playgrounds and other public spaces. MillionTreesNYC is a component of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative to make New York City more sustainable.

Private funds from Mr. Rockefeller and from foundations establised by Michael R. Bloomberg will be made to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a nonprofit organization established to raise funds for City agencies and to partner with the private sector. In addition to planting trees in the City, this gift will be used to help fund a new job training program, the MillionTreesNYC Apprenticeship Program, which will provide "green collar" jobs to young people and train them in the skills required to plant and maintain new trees. The MillionTreesNYC Apprenticeship will be administered by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with other City agencies and nonprofit and community partners.

In a related story, Mayor Bloomberg announced another $2 million contribution to MillionTreesNYC—$1 million pledged by the rock group, The Police, and a matching amount to be provided by the City. This grant grant will be used to plant 10,000 new trees in order to reforest 2,000 acres of eroding parkland across the five boroughs. "We are pleased to contribute to this powerful and historic initiative..." said The Police. "We applaud Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York for boldly confronting the City's environmental issues and are excited to support their goal of creating a healthier, more sustainable City."

Sources:
Press Release: Mayor Bloomberg and David Rockefeller Announce $10 Million Commitment Towards MillionTreesNYC.

Related Article: Mayor Bloomberg, Sting and The Police Announce Contribution to MillionTreesNYC

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