Gates Foundation

Gates Foundation funds research, public health programs and economic opportunity, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Its grants support public, private and nonprofit partners in developing and delivering tools to prevent maternal and child deaths, fight infectious diseases and reduce poverty. Its work also includes agriculture and U.S. education, with increased funding for AI in education approved in 2026.

Founded by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates in 2000 as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it adopted the Gates Foundation name in 2025. Melinda left in 2024; Bill remains chair, and Mark Suzman is CEO. Its Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative funds research on diseases disproportionately affecting low-income countries. Through the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge, it supports researchers and companies developing sanitation technologies designed to remove pathogens and recover resources without water or sewer connections.

The foundation reported grant-supported work in 143 countries in 2025, alongside unaudited figures of US$8.5 billion in charitable support and a US$89 billion Foundation Trust endowment at year-end. In 2026, its board endorsed a US$9 billion annual payout. It plans to spend an additional approximately US$200 billion before closing at the end of 2045.