Signaling that he may be pursuing a future in philanthropy instead of politics, Mayor Bloomberg issued one of his strongest denials yet about a possible run for governor, while handing over more money than ever to a New York foundation to which he sends anonymous donations each year.

Using language similar to that which he relied on in February to end months of speculation that he would run for president as an independent candidate, Mr. Bloomberg said yesterday: “I am not, and will not be, a candidate for governor of the state of New York.”

He tried to tamp down talk of a 2010 gubernatorial run after Quinnipiac University released a poll yesterday that found he is the state’s top pick for governor, coming in ahead of Governor Paterson, Mayor Giuliani, and Attorney General Cuomo.

The denial came on the same day Mr. Bloomberg was said to be the donor behind an anonymous gift of more than $60 million to the Carnegie Corporation of New York. A source familiar with the donation confirmed that it came from the mayor.

Mr. Bloomberg is part way through his second term as mayor, and his plans for the future are the subject of much discussion in political circles. He reportedly conducted a poll that asked New Yorkers if they would be willing to abolish term limits, allowing him to run for a third term, and how he would fare in a race for governor. The poll found that voters were supportive of him running for governor, but would oppose efforts to overturn the city’s term limit law, according to reports.

He has often said publicly that he expects to be a philanthropist and run his foundation once he leaves office.

Mr. Bloomberg has given more than $175 million to the Carnegie Corporation since 2002 and his donations have grown in size over the years. In 2002 and 2003, he gave $10 million, and he gave $15 million in 2004, $20 million in 2005, and $30 million in 2006 and 2007.

His most recent donation will be paid out to 542 arts and social service organizations over the next two years, with the groups receiving grants ranging between $10,000 and $150,000, a spokesman for the Carnegie Corporation, George Soule, said.

For the first time, the organizations receiving the grants also will receive outside support through workshops and individual counseling. Among the groups to get funding are the Apollo Theater Foundation, the Museum of the City of New York, the Bedford Stuyvesant Family Health Center, and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.

A spokesman for the mayor declined to comment on the donation.

Mr. Bloomberg gave away $205 million to charity last year and came in seventh place on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s list of Americans who gave the most in 2007. Since becoming mayor in 2002, he has increased his charitable giving each year, making the largest jump in contributions in 2007, amid speculation he would run for president.

A political science professor at Baruch College, Douglas Muzzio, said the denial about running for governor coupled with the anonymous donation simply shows how skilled the mayor is at keeping himself in the spotlight as he heads deeper into his second term.

“It’s almost like clockwork. He just keeps putting his name out there. And they are masters at it. They are masters. They are relentless,” he said.

When voters were asked whom they would want elected governor in 2010, 30% named Mr. Bloomberg, 26% named Mr. Giuliani, 23% named Mr. Paterson, and 15% named Mr. Cuomo, the Quinnipiac University poll found. Mr. Bloomberg has led the university’s last three polls regarding the 2010 gubernatorial race, although he did drop two points in the matchup from the last poll, released April 17.

“I think it’s very flattering and I suspect that Governor Paterson is not particularly worried. And I don’t think if Rudy Giuliani wants to run, he would be worried. I am not a candidate for any other office,” he said, speaking to reporters in Washington where he was testifying about America’s infrastructure before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.