NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced the launch of the Mayors Challenge Fan Favorite selection. The selection, launched in partnership with The Huffington Post, allows citizens to learn more about the bold and innovative ideas of the 20 Mayors Challenge finalists and vote for their favorite. Each finalist city will showcase its idea through an original video and a blog post from its mayor.

"This first-of-its-kind competition has generated some very exciting and promising proposals," said Michael R. Bloomberg, philanthropist and Mayor of New York City. "Mayors in cities across the country have risen to the challenge of putting forth bold and innovative ideas that tackle some of our nation's toughest issues. Now, we're excited to showcase the 20 finalists and give people across the country a chance to select their favorite."

The winner of the Fan Favorite competition will be recognized next month alongside the $5 million grand prize winner of the Mayors Challenge and four additional $1 million winners. The winning Fan Favorite city will receive a $50K in-kind grant from IBM to support implementation as well as featured coverage and promotion from The Huffington Post, including a monthly front page column for a year and an interview with Arianna Huffington on Huff Post Live.

"Bloomberg Philanthropies and The Huffington Post  are aligned in the belief that cities, mayors, and engaged citizens are our greatest resources when it comes to moving the country forward," said Arianna Huffington, founder, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group. We look forward to sharing some of our country's boldest ideas with our readers across the world."

Voting for the Fan Favorite selection will be open from today until March 6. To vote in the Mayors Challenge Fan Favorite selection, visit www.huffingtonpost.com/mayors-challenge.

The Mayors Challenge is a competition to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life. Mayors of U.S. cities with 30,000 residents or more were eligible to compete. To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit bloomberg.org/mayorschallenge.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies is on a mission to improve and lengthen lives. We focus on five key areas to create lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation, which includes the Mayors Challenge, and Arts & Culture. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2012, $360 million was distributed. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org.

For more information on Bloomberg Philanthropies, media should contact Meghan Womack, meghan@bloomberg.org.

Media Contact for Mayors Challenge:   
Jessica Anderson  
212.885.0492  
Jessica.Anderson@hkstrategies.com   

SOURCE Bloomberg Philanthropies