Annual Report 2019

LETTER FROM THE CEO

As impatient optimists, one question we constantly come back to at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is: What’s Next? However much progress is made, whatever achievements are celebrated, we remain relentless in our pursuit of a world where every person can lead a healthy, productive life.

Through investments in alternative approaches, innovative solutions, original ideas, scientific discoveries, and technological advances, we played a part in some remarkable breakthroughs in 2019, which bring that vision closer.

More children and young people will survive and thrive thanks to billions of dollars raised to combat infectious diseases that hit the poorest hardest; more women and girls can transform their lives as barriers to economic participation are removed; new crops that can withstand heat, floods and drought will help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change; and students and parents in America can start to make better judgments on the value of going to college.

Of course, the year ended with the emergence of COVID-19—and we are working hard with partners around the world to minimize the impact of the pandemic, especially on the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities. For that, as with 2019’s achievements, we continue to rely on the expertise, experience, and energy of you, our partners in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors—and on the financial resources with which we have been entrusted.

I am pleased to share with you the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2019 Annual Report. Complete audited financial statements are available on gatesfoundation.org, giving a clear and comprehensive picture of our ongoing efforts to be responsible financial stewards.

By taking good care of the money given to us, we can make sure that as much of it as possible goes toward reducing poverty, disease, and inequality.

It is an honor to join forces in that endeavor with our outstanding friends, partners, and grantees across the United States and around the world. To all of you, I extend my deepest thanks.

Mark Suzman
Chief Executive Officer
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation