2007 Annual Report
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Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of trustees Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Grantmaking Areas

We also have a small Charitable Sector Support initiative.

Locations

  • Seattle, Wash.
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Beijing, China 
  • Avahan Initiative - Delhi, India

Leadership

  • Bill Gates, Co-chair
  • Melinda French Gates, Co-chair
  • William H. Gates Sr., Co-chair
  • Patty Stonesifer, Chief Executive Officer (Until Sept. 1, 2008)
  • Allan C. Golston, President, U.S. Program
  • Dr. Tadataka “Tachi” Yamada, President, Global Health Program
  • Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President, Global Development Program
  • Alex Friedman, Chief Financial Officer
  • Connie Collingsworth, General Counsel
  • Martha Choe, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Heidi Sinclair, Chief Communications Officer
  • Geoff Lamb, Managing Director of Public Policy

Statistics*

Number of employees: approximately 543
Asset trust endowment: $37.3 billion** 
Total grant commitments since inception: $16.5 billion
Total 2007 grant payments: $2.007 billion


Geographic reach

The foundation supports grantees in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Internationally, we support work in more than 100 countries.

Illustrative Grant Commitments

* As of March 31, 2008

** Endowment includes $1.6 billion from the first installment of the gift from Warren Buffett recorded August 24, 2006 and the second installment of $1.76 billion recorded on July 11, 2007.

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