Bill Gates Pledges Microsoft Stock Dividend To Support Work of Family Foundation

Rapid Response Team
Waggener Edstrom
Phone: 503.443.7070

SEATTLE — Bill Gates, co-founder and trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, today announced that he will pledge to the family foundation all of his proceeds from a decision announced today by Microsoft Corp. to issue a one-time, special stock dividend.

Based on current Microsoft stock ownership, the donation could be worth approximately $3 billion (U.S.).

“The pledge today is recognition that our world, the nation and our region — now more than ever — can and should dramatically improve equity in health, education, and access to information and human services for vulnerable families,” Gates said.

“While our family foundation is making progress, there remain so many urgent needs and challenges that we must address together as a society,” said Melinda Gates, co-founder of the foundation. “This gift is intended to help the foundation further its work and realize its goals of improving people’s lives.”

Today the Microsoft board of directors approved several steps for shareholders, including a one-time special dividend of $3 per share. The special dividend is contingent on shareholder approval this fall of amendments to the company’s employee stock plans.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to promote greater equity in four areas: global health, education, public libraries, and support for at-risk families in Washington state and Oregon. The Seattle-based foundation joins local, national and international partners to ensure that advances in these areas reach those who need them most. The foundation is led by Bill Gates’ father, William H. Gates Sr., and Patty Stonesifer.