We are focused on the areas of greatest need, on the ways in which we can do the most good.
From poverty to health, to education, our areas of focus offer the opportunity to dramatically improve the quality of life for billions of people. So we build partnerships that bring together resources, expertise, and vision—working with the best organizations around the globe to identify issues, find answers, and drive change.
Places
Our work depends on grantees and partners across the United States and in more than 130 countries who have on-the-ground expertise, a deep understanding of the issues we care about, and strong ties with the communities in which we aim to make a difference. At the same time, we have learned the value of having foundation representatives based in key regions—to help us build relationships with partner organizations and governments, better understand the policy environment, and remain culturally sensitive.
Africa
We support African partners whose bold ideas and creative approaches have the potential to save lives, improve health, and help families across the continent.
China
We support China in addressing major domestic health and development challenges, working with Chinese partners to help the country become a stronger health and development partner for the rest of the world.
East Asia
Our East Asia team collaborates with public- and private-sector partners across the region on innovative ways to fight diseases that affect the world’s poorest people and to sustain and increase development support from high-income Asian countries.
Europe
We work with leaders and institutions across Europe with the shared goals of reducing poverty and improving health throughout the developing world.
India
We work in collaboration with the Indian government and other partners on various issues, from health care and sanitation to gender equality, agricultural development, and financial empowerment of the most vulnerable populations.
Middle East
We work with partners across the Middle East to tackle a range of challenges, from poor health and poverty to low agricultural production.
North America
We invest in deep relationships with community leaders and innovators who are doing positive work that supports communities domestically and globally.
Program strategies
We focus on issues we think are the biggest barriers that prevent people from making the most of their lives. For each issue we work on, we fund innovative ideas that could help remove barriers. Some of the projects we fund will fail. We not only accept that, we expect it—because we think an essential role of philanthropy is to make bets on promising solutions that governments and businesses can’t afford to make. As we learn which bets pay off, we adjust our strategies and share the results so everyone can benefit.
Gender Equality
Our Gender Equality Division works to ensure women and girls in Africa and South Asia can enjoy good health, make their own choices, earn their own money, and be leaders in their societies.
Global Development
Our Global Development Division focuses on improving the delivery of high-impact health products and services to the world’s poorest communities and helps countries expand access to health coverage.
Global Growth and Opportunity
Our Global Growth & Opportunity division focuses on creating and scaling market-based innovations to stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Global Health
Our Global Health Division aims to reduce inequities in health by developing new tools and strategies to reduce the burden of infectious disease and the leading causes of child mortality in developing countries.
Global Policy and Advocacy
Our Global Policy & Advocacy Division seeks to build strategic relationships and promote policies that will help advance our work.
U.S. Program
Our United States Program Division works to ensure everyone in the United States can learn, grow, and get ahead, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or family income.
Work at the Gates Foundation
Want to get involved with the Gates Foundation and the work we're doing around the world? Take a look at our job openings.
More about our work
More about our work
How we work
We are focused on results. Those that can be measured. And those measured in ways beyond numbers.
Committed grants
We’ve funded thousands of projects, large and small. Our database includes payments made and committed from 1994 onward.
Strategic Investments
We partner with entrepreneurs, companies, and other organizations to create incentives that harness the power of private enterprise to create change for those who need it most.