Swim Lessons for N.Y.C. Children Were at Risk. A Billionaire Helped Out.

With New York City making deep budget cuts to key programs, two City Council members persuaded a philanthropist to help finance a city initiative to provide swim lessons to young children.

Last September, the City Council approved a bill requiring the Parks Department to provide free swim lessons to second-grade students at public schools, subject to city funding being allocated. But as Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly cut budgets across agencies including at the Parks Department, the program was imperiled.

The bill’s sponsor, Julie Menin, a Manhattan Democrat, asked for help from the Gray Foundation, which previously funded a college savings program for public school students.

Many of New York City’s wealthy donors have backed away from donating to local causes, fearing that the city’s pressing issues are too intractable. Jonathan D. Gray, a co-founder of the Gray Foundation, said in an interview that philanthropists should not be deterred.

“The core needs for low-income kids are as acute as ever,” he said. “We think it’s important to stay at that.”

The mayor’s budget cuts to parks and libraries have been unpopular. When Mr. Adams releases a new preliminary budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 on Tuesday, he will spare libraries from additional cuts that could have forced many branches to close on Saturdays, he announced on the X social media platform. Libraries were already forced to close on Sundays this winter and could face further cuts in April.