The tottering economy didn’t stop Mayor Bloomberg from stepping up his charitable contributions last year to a breathtaking $235 million, according to figures the mayor’s office released yesterday.
In 2007, the billionaire mayor parted with $205 million.
Bloomberg’s handouts have increased every year since 1997, when he distributed $26.6 million to 433 groups. His total gift-giving since becoming mayor in 2002 now tops the $1 billion mark.
Last year, 1,221 groups benefited from the largesse of the mayor and his privately held information-services company, Bloomberg LP.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy placed the mayor at No. 9 on its list of America’s top givers in 2008.
Leading the list was the foundation established by the late Leona Helmsley, who left $5.2 billion to promote the care and welfare of dogs.
Bloomberg last year announced plans to up donations to help nonprofits here weather the economic storm.