By: Teagan Mack
When most people hear the name Bill Gates, they think of Microsoft, billions of dollars, and tech innovation. But more recently Gates and his former wife, Melinda French Gates, have been recognized for something completely different: Giving away their money, and not just a little bit. They’ve committed to giving away the vast majority of it with the time they have left.
Together, they founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on solving global problems that affect millions. Their work goes from improving healthcare in the world’s poorest countries, to funding public education here in the U.S. Their foundation has grown into one of the world’s most influential charitable organizations.
Interestingly, Bill and Melinda Gates have made it clear that their children won’t inherit the majority of their wealth. Gates said that he wants his kids to have the freedom to follow their own paths, all while not being handed a vast sum of money. He believes giving them a small portion will be suitable for them to live comfortably while motivating them to work hard, find their purpose, and contribute to society as they please. He says the rest should go toward helping those who don’t have the same advantages.
One of their top priorities is global health. The foundation supports efforts to fight diseases like malaria and HIV, deliver life-saving vaccines, and enhance healthcare systems in places where medical help is hard to come by. Their goal for healthcare is to make long lasting changes that help communities become healthier and more self-sufficient.
In the U.S., the foundation is heavily invested in education, maily public schools. They fund programs that strive to improve graduation rates, increase access to college, and support students from underserved communities. For Gates, education is a key to unlocking opportunities and reducing inequality.
Melinda has been a strong advocate for women’s rights. Through the foundation and her own enterprise, she helps contribute to projects that empower women and girls, whether it’s through education, healthcare, or economic support. She speaks out about the need to close gender gaps around the world.
After 20+ years in the Gates Foundation Melinda took a step down from Co-Chair to focus on her charity Pivotal Ventures and other charities. Melinda stated “The time is right for me to move forward into the next chapter of my philanthropy.”
In 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates joined forces with Warren Buffett to create “The Giving Pledge”, a public commitment by billionaires to give away at least half of their wealth. Gates went even further by saying he wants to donate nearly everything and eventually drop off the list of the world’s richest people entirely.
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