Robin Hood, the city's leading poverty-fighting organization, last night raised $87.8 million at its annual benefit with 100 percent of the donations going to organizations that generate measurable results for New Yorkers in need, as Robin Hood's board underwrites all of the event's costs. All event donations were matched 1:1 through a special challenge grant from global philanthropist George Soros and the Robin Hood Board of Directors.

The benefit was co-chaired by Robin Hood Board Vice Chair Lee Ainslie of Maverick Capital, Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan Chase and Eric Schmidt of Google. Brian Williams served as host for the 21st annual event, while Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers provided entertainment. Surprise guest Sting came out on stage to play for the crowd and Stevie Wonder capped the evening off by performing for the more than 3,800 guests who gathered at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the fundraiser.

"Fifty-five percent of babies born in New York City are born into poverty, and we have to change that," said David Saltzman, Robin Hood's Executive Director. "Tonight our incredibly generous donors made a big investment towards saving lives of New Yorkers in need."

Contact:
Marianne Macrae at Robin Hood, 212-227-6601
Steve Bruce/Kenny Juarez/Shawn Pattison at Abernathy MacGregor, 212-371-5999