Accepting an Award From Bloomberg Philanthropies as Part of the Finalist Stage of the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Councillor Rachel Chernos-Lin

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The decision

2025-07-23 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on July 23 and 24, 2025, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development to receive an award of USD $50,000 (CAD $68,500) from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the ideation, development, and delivery of methodologies towards supporting a universal school food program. 2. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development to negotiate, sign, and execute a letter of agreement for the USD $50,000 (CAD $68,500) award on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Social Development, and in form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

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3. City Council authorize a one-time increase to the 2025 Operating Budget for Social Development, in the amount of $68,500 (USD $50,000) gross and $0 net, with funding from 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge award for the purpose ideating, developing, and delivering activities supporting a universal school food program (USD $1 = CAD $1.37 exchange rate as of July 2025). 4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, to enter into any necessary contracts, agreements, or arrangements in relation to the adoption of Parts 1 to 3.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

In December 2024, the City Clerk's Office in partnership with the Mayor's Office and the City Manager's Office jointly submitted a proposal for the Bloomberg Philanthropies' 2025 Global Mayors Challenge. The Challenge invited mayors from around the world to reimagine an essential city service that impacts residents' lives. The City's submission centered on developing a universal school food program in Toronto. Applications were reviewed by Bloomberg Philanthropies and its advisory council to assess the idea and its potential for impact and ability to deliver.

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Out of more than 630 applicants, the City of Toronto was selected as one of fifty finalists - and the only Canadian city - to receive a USD $50,000 (CAD $68,500) award. Working with expert coaching, the funds will be used to further refine the idea, with the aim of preparing a new submission for the final round of the Challenge in October 2025. Staff from the City and Mayor's Office will be participating in the prestigious Global Ideas Camp in Bogota, Colombia, in July 2025 to engage in workshops, learn from experts and network to learn what it takes to improve the City's idea. Of the 50 finalists, 25 cities will be chosen to receive an award of USD $1,000,000 to implement the changes and enhancements to the core city service. The work related to this submission is tied to exploring the possible future state of the Vision and Strategy for a Universal School Food Program, which received Council approval in June 2025. Authority is requested for a one-time increase to the 2025 Operating Budget for Social Development, in the amount of $68,500 (USD $50,000) gross and $0 net, with funding from 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge award for the purpose ideating, developing, and delivering activities tied supporting a universal school food program Under City Council's Donations to the City of Toronto for Community Benefits Policy, Council authority is required to accept donations over $50,000. Reason for Urgency: The Motion is deemed urgent as the refined submission will be due in October 2025 and funding is needed to advance work between now and September.

Staff recommended

Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Councillor Rachel Chernos-Lin, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development to receive an award of USD $50,000 (CAD $68,500) from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the ideation, development, and delivery of methodologies towards supporting a universal school food program. 2. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development to negotiate, sign, and execute a letter of agreement for the USD $50,000 (CAD $68,500) award on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Social Development, and in form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

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3. City Council authorize a one-time increase to the 2025 Operating Budget for Social Development, in the amount of $68,500 (USD $50,000) gross and $0 net, with funding from 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge award for the purpose ideating, developing, and delivering activities supporting a universal school food program (USD $1 = CAD $1.37 exchange rate as of July 2025) 4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, to enter into any necessary contracts, agreements, or arrangements in relation to the adoption of Parts 1 to 3.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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