Bill Gates tells his foundation to spend it all by 2045

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 2:22 pm

**Bill Gates Accelerates Philanthropic Efforts: Gates Foundation to Close by 2045**

In a significant move for global philanthropy, Bill Gates announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will exhaust its resources and close its doors within the next two decades, by 2045. This ambitious plan will see the foundation spend over $200 billion, fueled by Gates' commitment to donate 99% of his estimated $107 billion fortune. This donation is poised to be the second-largest philanthropic gift in U.S. history, adjusted for inflation.

This decision marks a shift from the previous plan, which would have seen the foundation close 20 years after Gates' death. The 69-year-old Microsoft co-founder, reflecting on the foundation's 25th anniversary and personal milestones, including his upcoming 70th birthday, is accelerating the timeline to maximize the impact of his giving.

The Gates Foundation has already made a substantial impact, having spent over $100 billion on critical initiatives. Its focus areas include health, education, global development, and gender equality, with a particular emphasis on supporting people in low-income countries battling diseases like malaria. The foundation's accelerated spending, projected at around $9 billion annually through 2045, comes at a time when the Trump administration has reduced foreign aid, highlighting the importance of private philanthropic efforts. This commitment underscores Gates' dedication to addressing global challenges and leaving a lasting legacy of positive change.

Keywords: Bill Gates, Gates Foundation, philanthropy, donation, global development, health, education, gender equality, malaria, low-income countries, Microsoft, Warren Buffett, foreign aid, USAID, philanthropic gift, wind down, close by 2045, $200 billion, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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