Gates Foundation Invests in Strengthening the United Way System

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia -- The William H. Gates Foundation today announced a $10.5 million grant to United Way of America to support vital programs and services the national organization provides to United Ways serving the needs of local communities across the nation. The Gates Foundation grant recognizes the important role of United Way as a catalyst for building stronger, healthier communities.

The Gates family and the United Way have a strong history of partnering together to strengthen United Way, locally, nationally and internationally. Bill Gates, Jr. and his mother, Mary, have both served in leadership roles on the United Way of America Board of Governors. In addition, Mary was an active member of the United Way International Board and William H. Gates Sr. is a former campaign chairman for the United Way of King County in Seattle, Washington. Bill and Melinda Gates currently serve as Honorary Chairs of the United Way of America's National Megagifts Committee.

"The Gates Family has been a great part of the United Way's history and the Gates Foundation has given us yet another extraordinary gift that provides needed flexibility in a time of great change," said United Way of America Board Chairman Paul Tagliabue. "All of us at United Way are proud that the Gates Foundation has chosen to invest in United Way of America's future. It is a strong endorsement of how integral United Way is to the quality of life for all people in this nation."

Led by Bill Gates' father, William H. Gates Sr., the William H. Gates Foundation supports initiatives in education, world health and population, and community giving in the Pacific Northwest. At the end of 1998, the Foundation had committed $133 million to organizations working in world health and population; $122 million to educational concerns; more than $42 million to community projects in the Pacific Northwest; and over $60 million to special projects and annual giving campaigns.

United Way of America is the national service organization providing training, resources and technical assistance to 1,400 United Way member organizations. Together they raised $3.4 billion in the 1997-98 fund-raising campaign supporting more than 44,000 nonprofit organizations nationwide and delivering programs and services to millions of people.

For further background information, consult the United Way website (www.unitedway.org).