Editing Gates Foundation (section)

==History==
[[File:B&M Gates Complex.jpg|thumb|right|Headquarters complex in Seattle as seen from the [[Space Needle]]]]
[[File:Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation logo.svg|thumb|class=skin-invert-image|Former logo (until 2024)]]
In 1994, the foundation was formed as the William H. Gates Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/General-Information/Leadership/Executive-Leadership-Team/William-H-Gates-Sr |title=William H Gates Sr |website=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |language=en |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093012/https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/General-Information/Leadership/Executive-Leadership-Team/William-H-Gates-Sr |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2002, the foundation purchased stocks in pharmaceutical companies [[Johnson & Johnson]], [[Merck & Co.|Merck]], and [[Pfizer]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bank |first1=David |last2=Buckman |first2=Rebecca |date=2002-05-17 |title=Gates Foundation Buys Stakes in Drug Makers |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1021577629748680000 |access-date=2022-06-14 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614000401/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1021577629748680000 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 15, 2006, Gates announced his plans to transition out of a day-to-day role with [[Microsoft]], effective July 31, 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/jun06/06-15CorpNewsPR.mspx |title=Microsoft Announces Plans for July 2008 Transition for Bill Gates |publisher=Microsoft PressPass |date=June 15, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619230935/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/jun06/06-15CorpNewsPR.mspx |archive-date=June 19, 2006 }}</ref> to allow him to devote more time to working with the foundation. The first CEO of the foundation, until she stepped down in 2008, was [[Patty Stonesifer]].<ref name="test">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/07charity.html |title=Gates Foundation Head to Leave Longtime Post |date=February 7, 2008 |author=Stephanie Strom |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 9, 2017 |via=NYTimes.com |archive-date=January 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106063730/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/07charity.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005, [[Bill Gates]] and [[Melinda French Gates]], along with the Irish rock musician [[Bono]], were named by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' as [[Time Magazine Person of the Year|Persons of the Year 2005]] for their outstanding charitable work. In the case of the Gateses, the work referenced was that of BMGF.<ref>{{Cite news |title=TIME names Bono, Bill and Melinda Gates Persons of Year - CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/18/time.poy/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |website=CNN |access-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207001021/http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/18/time.poy/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 May 2008 it was announced that [[Jeff Raikes]] would replace Stonesifer as the CEO of the BMGF.<ref name="ljs">{{cite news|url=http://www.journalstar.com/news/business/doc48287ee28cad2337010266.txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126214717/http://www.journalstar.com/news/business/doc48287ee28cad2337010266.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-26 |title=Ashland native Jeff Raikes to run Gates Foundation |date=2008-05-12 |accessdate=2008-05-12 }}</ref>

The foundation announced in January 2005 that it would build its headquarters campus on {{convert|12|acre|ha}} adjacent to the [[Seattle Center]] in [[Downtown Seattle]]. The foundation purchased the property for $50.4&nbsp;million from the Seattle city government, who would help build a 1,000-stall public parking garage and assist with cleanup of the land, which had been used as a [[King County Metro|Metro Transit]] bus base.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Bob |last2=McOmber |first2=J. Martin |date=January 14, 2005 |title=Gates nonprofit picks Seattle Center headquarters site |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/gates-nonprofit-picks-seattle-center-headquarters-site/ |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |accessdate=September 4, 2024}}</ref> The two-building headquarters campus opened in June 2011 at a cost of $500 million and was designed by [[NBBJ]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Heim |first=Kristi |date=May 21, 2011 |title=The new Gates Foundation headquarters reflects charity's roots — and reach |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-new-gates-foundation-headquarters-reflects-charitys-roots-8212-and-reach/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=September 4, 2024}}</ref> The design was awarded [[LEED|LEED Platinum]] status for its environmentally-friendly features, including a [[living roof]], a rainwater retention pool, and a rooftop [[solar array]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bauman |first=Valerie |date=October 7, 2011 |title=New Gates Foundation campus receives highest environmental rating |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2011/10/new-gates-foundation-campus-receives.html |work=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 4, 2024}}</ref>

In 2010, the foundation's founders started the Commission on Education of Health Professionals for the 21st Century, entitled "Transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.publichealthglobal.org/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Providing-Affordable-Healthcare-Education.html&Itemid=92 |title=Public Health Global Watch |access-date=March 12, 2015 |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425071723/http://www.publichealthglobal.org/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Providing-Affordable-Healthcare-Education.html&Itemid=92 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A 2011 survey of grantees found that many believed the foundation did not make its goals and strategies clear and sometimes did not understand those of the grantees; that the foundation's decision-making and grantmaking procedures were too opaque; and that its communications could be more consistent and responsive. The foundation's response was to improve the clarity of its explanations, make "orientation calls" to grantees upon awarding grants, tell grantees who their foundation contact is, give timely feedback when they receive a grantee report, and establish a way for grantees to provide anonymous or attributed feedback to the foundation.<ref>[http://www.gatesfoundation.org/learning/Pages/GranteeProgressReport2012.aspx Improving our Work with You: A Progress Report – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127163816/http://www.gatesfoundation.org/learning/Pages/GranteeProgressReport2012.aspx |date=January 27, 2013 }}. Gatesfoundation.org (September 6, 2012). Retrieved on July 18, 2013.</ref> The foundation also launched a podcast series.<ref>[http://www.soundcloud.com/BMGF Gates Foundation's Spotlight page on SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522091305/http://soundcloud.com/BMGF |date=May 22, 2013 }}. Soundcloud.com. Retrieved on July 18, 2013.</ref>

In October 2013, the BMGF announced that it would join the [[International Aid Transparency Initiative]].<ref name=joiniati/>

In December 2013, [[Susan Desmond-Hellmann]], president of product development for [[Genentech]] before its acquisition by [[Roche Pharmaceuticals]],<ref name=NYTbio>{{cite news |first=Denise |last=Grady |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/science/11profile.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=Profiles in Science: An Innovator Shapes an Empire |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 10, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726170415/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/science/11profile.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> was announced as BMGF's next CEO. She replaced Jeff Raikes on 1 May 2014.<ref name="sdhfierce">{{cite news |last1=Garde |first1=Damian |title=Genentech's ex-R&D boss takes the reins at the Gates Foundation |url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/r-d/genentech-s-ex-r-d-boss-takes-reins-at-gates-foundation |agency=Fierce Biotech |publisher=Questex LLC |date=17 December 2013 |access-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414065315/https://www.fiercebiotech.com/r-d/genentech-s-ex-r-d-boss-takes-reins-at-gates-foundation |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2014, [[Hillary Clinton]] launched a partnership between the foundation and the [[Clinton Foundation]] to gather and study data on the progress of women and girls around the world since the 1995 United Nations [[Fourth World Conference on Women]] in Beijing.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/13/hillary-clinton-launches-global-data-project-on-women-and-girls/ |title=Hillary Clinton launches global data project on women and girls |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711211014/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/13/hillary-clinton-launches-global-data-project-on-women-and-girls/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="philanthropynewsdigest.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/wyss-clinton-foundations-partner-on-full-participation-by-women-and-girls |title=Wyss, Clinton Foundations Partner on Full Participation by Women and Girls |author=Foundation Center |work=Philanthropy News Digest (PND) |access-date=September 2, 2014 |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228090124/https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/wyss-clinton-foundations-partner-on-full-participation-by-women-and-girls |url-status=live }}</ref> This is called "No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project".<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/><ref name="philanthropynewsdigest.org"/>

In October 2019, the BMGF partnered with the [[World Economic Forum]] to host the tabletop exercise called [[Event 201]] in [[New York City]].<ref name="event 201">{{cite web | author=JHCHS website designer | title=Event 201, a pandemic exercise to illustrate preparedness efforts | website=Even 201 | date=2020-01-24 | url=https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/ | access-date=2020-06-24 | archive-date=October 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029035136/https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2020, BMGF CEO Desmond-Hellmann was replaced "for health and family reasons" by Mark Suzman.<ref name="bmwsj">{{cite news |last1=McKay |first1=Betsy |title=Gates Foundation CEO to Step Down |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gates-foundation-ceo-to-step-down-11575570659 |agency=The Wall Street Journal |date=5 December 2019 |access-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220135225/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gates-foundation-ceo-to-step-down-11575570659 |url-status=live }}</ref>

As early as 2012, there were reports that the BMGF was acting as a fund aggregator for wealthy donors - the name recognition associated with BMGF caused more money to be placed than when under anonymous control. This was particularly useful during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] because the BMGF already knew which organizations were working in the field and able to receive funds.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Karlan |first1=Dean |last2=List |first2=John A. |title=How can Bill and Melinda Gates increase other people's donations to fund public goods? |journal=Journal of Public Economics |date=November 2020 |volume=191 |pages=104296 |doi=10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104296 |pmid=33052151 |pmc=7544478 }}</ref>

When former [[President Trump]] threatened to defund the [[WHO]] in summer 2020 over concerns that it was too "deferential" to the [[Chinese Communist Party]], because the BMGF constituted at that time the second-ranked contributor to the WHO, concerns were raised in the charity and academic sector that the BMGF might conceivably bias the WHO in the pursuit of its ideology. In the most timely accounting period, the BMGF provided 45% of the WHO's NGO funds, or in other words 12% of the total operating expenditure of the WHO.<ref name="ccdev">{{cite news |last1=Cheney |first1=Catherine |title='Big concerns' over Gates foundation's potential to become largest WHO donor |url=https://www.devex.com/news/big-concerns-over-gates-foundation-s-potential-to-become-largest-who-donor-97377 |publisher=Devex |date=5 June 2020 |access-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419183549/https://www.devex.com/news/big-concerns-over-gates-foundation-s-potential-to-become-largest-who-donor-97377 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dmusnwr">{{cite news |last1=McPhillips |first1=Deidre |title=Gates Foundation Donations to WHO Nearly Match Those From U.S. Government |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2020-05-29/gates-foundation-donations-to-who-nearly-match-those-from-us-government |publisher=U.S. News & World Report L.P. |date=29 May 2020 |access-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726170520/https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2020-05-29/gates-foundation-donations-to-who-nearly-match-those-from-us-government |url-status=live }}</ref>

It was revealed after the fact that the BMGF had contributed US$1.553 billion to the [[GAVI]] over the five years (from 2016 to 2020). The BMGF was the number two ranked contributor.<ref name=curper>{{cite web |title=Current Period 2016–2020 |url=https://www.gavi.org/investing-gavi/funding/current-period-2016-2020 |website=GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance |date=12 March 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419144013/https://www.gavi.org/investing-gavi/funding/current-period-2016-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[Global Vaccine Summit]] in June 2020, the BMGF pledged $1.6 billion (or just under 20% of the total) for the subsequent five years.<ref name=bmgfcnbc>{{cite web |title=Bill Gates-backed vaccine alliance raises $8.8 billion from world leaders and businesses |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/04/bill-gates-backed-vaccine-alliance-looks-to-raise-7point4-billion.html |website=[[CNBC]] |date=June 4, 2020 |access-date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918210643/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/04/bill-gates-backed-vaccine-alliance-looks-to-raise-7point4-billion.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2022, the Gates Foundation announced the commitment of $125 million to aid in ending the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and to aid in preparing for future pandemics. In total since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the Gates Foundation has committed more than $2 billion to COVID-19 response efforts.<ref>{{cite journal|date=13 May 2022|url=https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gates-foundation-commits-125-million-to-help-end-covid-pandemic|title=Gates Foundation commits $125 million to help end COVID pandemic|journal=Philanthropy News Digest|access-date=13 May 2022|archive-date=May 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513044746/https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gates-foundation-commits-125-million-to-help-end-covid-pandemic|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, it co-funded a community known as [[Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy]] in partnership with the United Kingdom Aid from the UK government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy {{!}} UIA Yearbook Profile {{!}} Union of International Associations |url=https://uia.org/s/or/en/1122281387 |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=uia.org |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125195329/https://uia.org/s/or/en/1122281387 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2021, the foundation agreed on a back-up plan in the event that its co-chairs could not work together due to their recent divorce. The deal gave Bill and Melinda a two-year trial, after which Melinda could resign from the organization as well as receiving personal resources from her ex-husband for her own charity work.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gates Foundation agrees break-up back-up plan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57756506 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 7, 2021 |date=July 7, 2021 |archive-date=July 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707172411/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57756506 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN-resignation"/> On May 13, 2024, Melinda Gates resigned as co-chair of the foundation, to be effective June 7, 2024.<ref>{{cite web | title=Melinda French Gates says she is resigning from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | website=KOMO | date=May 13, 2024 | url=https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/melinda-french-gates-says-she-is-resigning-from-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation-microsoft-billionaires-nonprofit-organization-charity-charitable-support-one-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-women | access-date=May 13, 2024 | archive-date=May 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513164003/https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/melinda-french-gates-says-she-is-resigning-from-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation-microsoft-billionaires-nonprofit-organization-charity-charitable-support-one-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-women | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN-resignation">{{cite web |title=Melinda French Gates is resigning from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |first=David |last=Goldman |work=CNN |date=May 13, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/investing/melinda-gates-resigns-foundation/index.html |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513172813/https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/investing/melinda-gates-resigns-foundation/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The foundation was renamed to the '''Gates Foundation''',<ref name="Name change">{{cite web |last1=Pfeffinger |first1=Ramsey |title=Gates Foundation changes name, branding during milestone year |url=https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/gates-foundation-name-branding |website=Fox 13 Seattle |date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref> with Bill Gates as the sole chairman.<ref name="CNN-resignation"/>

===Warren Buffett donations===
In June 2006, [[Warren Buffett]] pledged to give the foundation approximately 10 million [[Berkshire Hathaway]] Class B [[share (finance)|shares]] (then valued at $3,071 each, before a 50–1 [[stock split]] in 2010) spread over multiple years through annual contributions, with the first year's donation of 500,000 shares being worth approximately $1.5 billion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warren Buffett gives away his fortune |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazines/fortune/charity1.fortune/index.htm |date=March 5, 2008 |work=Fortune |publisher=Time Warner via CNNMoney.com |access-date=December 10, 2007 |first=Carol J. |last=Loomis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128090517/https://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazines/fortune/charity1.fortune/index.htm |archive-date=November 28, 2007| url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2010/01/21/berkshire-hathaway-b-shares-soar-after-split.html |title=Berkshire Hathaway 'B' Shares Soar After Split |website=[[CNBC]] |date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=March 15, 2020 |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719082311/https://www.cnbc.com/id/34973846 |url-status=live }}</ref> Buffett set conditions so that these contributions do not simply increase the foundation's endowment, but effectively work as a matching contribution, doubling the foundation's annual giving. [[Bloomberg News]] noted, "Buffett's gift came with three conditions for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Bill or Melinda Gates must be alive and active in its administration; it must continue to qualify as a charity; and each year it must give away an amount equal to the previous year's Berkshire gift, plus an additional amount equal to 5 percent of net [[asset]]s. Buffett gave the foundation two years to abide by the third requirement."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=axbiyJ8O.yKk&refer=top_world_news|title=Buffett Makes $30.7 Bln Donation to Gates Foundation (Update8)|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|last=Stein|first=George|date=June 26, 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905000532/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=axbiyJ8O.yKk&refer=top_world_news|archive-date=September 5, 2012|access-date=March 5, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/home/facesinthenews/2006/06/26/buffett-gates-philanthropy-cx_cn_0626autofacescan03.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825202146/http://www.forbes.com/home/facesinthenews/2006/06/26/buffett-gates-philanthropy-cx_cn_0626autofacescan03.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 25, 2006 |title=Buffett Will Double Gates Foundation's Spending |first=Chris |last=Noon |date=June 26, 2006 |work=Forbes}}</ref> The Gates Foundation received 5% (500,000) of the shares in July 2006 and was to receive 5% of the ''remaining'' earmarked shares in July of each following year (475,000 in 2007, 451,250 in 2008).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazines/fortune/charity3.fortune/index.htm |work=CNN |title=How Buffett's giveaway will work |date=June 25, 2006 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |first=Carol J. |last=Loomis |archive-date=March 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316130540/http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazines/fortune/charity3.fortune/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://berkshirehathaway.com/donate/bmgfltr.pdf |title=Letter from Warren E. Buffett |last=Buffett |first=Warren E. |date=June 26, 2006 |website=Berkshirehathaway |access-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 27, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627234351/http://berkshirehathaway.com/donate/bmgfltr.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2018, Buffett announced another donation of his company's Class B stock, this time worth $2 billion, to the Gates Foundation.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/warren-buffett-stock-donations_n_3561866.html Warren Buffett Makes Huge Charity Stock Donation To Gates Foundation, Other Charities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015347/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/warren-buffett-stock-donations_n_3561866.html |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved on July 18, 2013.</ref>

In June 2024, Buffett clarified the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would not receive any more money after he died. While this does not prevent him from making any further donations while he is still alive, the recipients of his fortune upon his death will be decided unanimously by his three children.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hetzner |first1=Christiaan |title=Warren Buffett warns Gates Foundation there is no guarantee his support of the charity will continue once he's gone: 'No money coming after my death' |url=https://fortune.com/2024/06/28/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-charity-foundation-bill-melinda-gates/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref>

===Lifespan===
In October 2006, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was split into two entities: the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, which manages the endowment assets and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which "...&nbsp;conducts all operations and grantmaking work, and it is the entity from which all grants are made".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.philanthropy.com/free/update/2006/11/2006112901.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220226/http://www.philanthropy.com/free/update/2006/11/2006112901.htm|url-status=dead |title=Gates Foundation Announces That It Doesn't Plan to Operate Forever |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/Announcements/Announce-061129.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815085113/http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/Announcements/Announce-061129.htm|url-status=dead |title=About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust |archive-date=August 15, 2008}}</ref> Also announced was the decision to spend all of the foundation's resources within 50 years after Bill's and Melinda's deaths.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/Announcements/Announce-061129.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815085113/http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/Announcements/Announce-061129.htm|url-status=dead |title=Announcements – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation<!-- Bot generated title --> |archive-date=August 15, 2008}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://philanthropy.com/article/Gates-Foundation-Announces/55464/ |date=November 29, 2006 |title=Gates Foundation Announces That It Doesn't Plan to Operate Forever |work=The Chronicle of Philanthropy |access-date=November 7, 2011 |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415161045/http://philanthropy.com/article/Gates-Foundation-Announces/55464/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sets lifespan |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gates-foundation/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-sets-lifespan-idUSN0125394420061201 |work=Reuters |date=December 1, 2006 |language=en |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129075511/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gates-foundation/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-sets-lifespan-idUSN0125394420061201 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116493514082937519 |title=Gates Foundation Sets Its Lifespan |first=Sally |last=Beatty |date=December 1, 2006 |work=[[WSJ]]}}</ref> This was later lowered to within 20 years of their death.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBHJ-8Bch4E  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/cBHJ-8Bch4E| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Interview with Bill Gates September 21, 2013 (Video 33:52) |work=YouTube|date=September 24, 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Foundation Trust |url=https://www.gatesfoundation.org/who-we-are/general-information/financials/foundation-trust |website=Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |language=en |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129075509/https://www.gatesfoundation.org/who-we-are/general-information/financials/foundation-trust |url-status=live }}</ref> This would close the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and effectively end the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In the 2006 announcement, it was reiterated that Warren Buffett "...&nbsp;has stipulated that the proceeds from the Berkshire Hathaway shares he still owns at death are to be used for philanthropic purposes within 10 years after his estate has been settled".<ref name="autogenerated2" />

In May 2025, Bill Gates announced that the foundation will cease operations on December 31, 2045.<ref>{{Cite web |title=My new deadline: 20 years to give away virtually all my wealth |url=https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articles/next-chapter |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Gates Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/magazine/bill-gates-foundation-closing-2045.html |title=The $200 Billion Gamble: Bill Gates’s Plan to Wind Down His Foundation |publisher=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |date=May 8, 2025 |last=Wallace-Wells |first=David |access-date=May 24, 2025}}</ref>

The plan to close the Foundation Trust is in contrast to most large charitable foundations that have no set closure date. This is intended to lower administrative costs over the years of the Foundation Trust's life and ensure that the Foundation Trust does not fall into a situation where the vast majority of its expenditures are on administrative costs, including salaries, with only token amounts contributed to charitable causes.<ref name="autogenerated1" />