Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities
U.S. cities have a historic opportunity to access federal funds to combat climate change and improve millions of lives. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act have made over $400 billion in federal funding available to local governments to invest in revitalized infrastructure and bold climate action.
Launched in March 2024, Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities is a three-year initiative to turbocharge 25 U.S. cities’ efforts to leverage historic levels of federal funding to proactively build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities.
Building on the longtime leadership of U.S. cities to confront the crisis of climate change which disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities, the $200 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative will provide deep support to selected cities to pursue transformative solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors through partnerships with PolicyLink, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Natural Resources Defense Council.
The initiative aims to ensure the participating cities – collectively representing over 10 million people – can leverage and implement federal funds to advance local projects, especially in disadvantaged communities historically overburdened by pollution.
The cities selected for Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities will receive support from Bloomberg Philanthropies to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation and promoting equitable outcomes. Potential projects in the 25 cities include developing affordable energy-efficient housing, increasing access to clean energy, investing in electric vehicles and infrastructure, and more.
The cities selected to participate in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative are:
Akron, OH
Atlanta, GA
Birmingham, AL
Buffalo, NY
Charlotte, NC
Chattanooga, TN
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Hampton, VA
Jackson, MS
Kansas City, MO
Lansing, MI
Memphis, TN
Montgomery, AL
Nashville, TN
Newport News, VA
Oakland, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Raleigh, NC
Rochester, NY
Savannah, GA
St. Louis, MO
These cities will receive a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team (i-team) with expertise in data analysis, insight development, human-centered design, systems thinking, and project management to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation and promoting equitable outcomes. Cities will also receive multi-year, in-depth, customized policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations and local stakeholders to mobilize public, private, and philanthropic investments to achieve their goals.
The initiative builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ commitment to supporting cities in reducing emissions including the American Cities Climate Challenge and Local Infrastructure Hub.
