Q. How do I apply for a grant through the Global Health Program?

A. First, review the Global Health Program’s grantmaking priorities. If you feel that your project aligns with the program’s scope and strategy, please fill out our letter of inquiry form.

Q. I am interested in a grant from the Education initiative. How can I apply?

A. The Education team works directly with districts, states, and cities across the United States in an effort to transform large, existing schools and to create new models. While we appreciate your interest in our initiatives, we do not accept grant requests or unsolicited proposals for our Education initiative. To learn more about our funding priorities and the organizations we are currently working with, please visit the Education channel of our Web site.

Q. I am interested in funding for a library project in the United States. How do I apply for a grant?

A. The U.S. Libraries team works directly with national, state, and local partners in three major areas: keeping libraries open, increasing trained library staff, and maintaining systems. While we appreciate your interest in this area, we do not accept grant requests or unsolicited proposals for library projects. To learn more about the work our partners are doing, please visit the U.S. Libraries channel of our Web site.

Q. Do you accept proposals for library projects outside of the United States?

A. The Global Libraries team works directly with local governments in other countries to increase no-cost access to technology through partnerships with public libraries; therefore, we do not accept letters of inquiry or unsolicited proposals in this area. Please watch our Web site for updates on this program.

Q. I would like to apply for funding through the Pacific Northwest initiative. How do I apply for a grant?

A. Our Pacific Northwest initiative supports projects in two areas: Community Grants and Supportive Housing. To determine if your project might fall under one of these program areas, please review the Pacific Northwest grantmaking guidelines.

Q. How can I apply for a scholarship supported by the Gates Foundation?

A. The foundation funds several scholarships, each with a different area of focus. To determine which scholarship program might be right for you, please review the Education portion of our Eligibility Overview and then follow the links provided for detailed application information.

Please note that we do not grant to individuals outside of these scholarship programs.

Q. I am an individual seeking financial assistance. Am I eligible for a grant?

A. In keeping with our charter, we do not provide funding to individuals. Learn about other organizations that might be able to provide assistance.

Q. I am raising money for a cause. Am I eligible for a grant?

A. The foundation makes grants to organizations directly rather than through individual fundraising activities; therefore, we are unable to fund your effort.

Learn about other organizations that might be able to provide assistance.

Q. How are the foundation and Microsoft related?

A. The Microsoft Corporation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are separate organizations and are not related. They each have independent approaches to charitable giving. To learn about Microsoft’s corporate philanthropy initiatives, please visit the Microsoft Community Affairs program Web site.

Q: I've heard the foundation awards grants to organizations that are working to strengthen the charitable sector as a whole. How can I find out more?

A: You can get more information about our Charitable Sector Support program here.