Grants From Bill and Melinda Gates

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards more grant funding than any other foundation in the United States, according to the Foundation Center. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the husband and wife team established the foundation in 1994 and the organization continues today as an organization driven by family interests. Since its beginning, the foundation's grantmaking has funded worldwide programs that promote education, research diseases, develop agriculture and improve water systems and sanitation.

Eligibility

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards the majority of its grants to U.S. based, tax-exempt organizations. The foundation staff identifies the majority of organizations and programs it funds, but awards a smaller percentage of grants from proposals it receives. Due to the terms of the organization's charter, the foundation does not award funding to individuals. Grant seekers are advised to reference current foundation priorities before submitting a proposal.

Grantmaking Focus

The staff at the foundation focuses on a set of basic issues when focusing on potential grant awards. The foundation evaluates the number of people a potential grant might affect, whether a project addresses a neglected situation and the potential for a program to lead to the greatest possible change. Staff members evaluate how technology can play a roll in creating change and how a program might incorporate technological solutions. The foundation also evaluates the potential of a project to incorporate partnerships with businesses, governments and experts in associated fields.

Project Characteristics

Proposals accepted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation must include the expectation of producing quantifiable results and the promise of producing durable change. The foundations holds an interest in programs that incorporate the support of other sources and serve to further programs it already aids.

Projects Not Funded

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation does not support health programs that address problems in developed countries or political activities. The foundation does not fund capital or building campaigns or programs that function exclusively to serve a religion intention.

Funding Areas

The foundation lends its financial support to global development programs, including agricultural development projects and work that improves water systems, hygiene and sanitation. Global health programs grants address issues such as diarrhea, malaria, HIV/AIDS, prenatal care, polio and pneumonia. Grants for programs in the United States serve early learning issues, high schools, homelessness families and libraries.

Past Grantees

In 2010, the foundation helped fund a University of Southern Mississippi project that convened a panel of experts to discuss diseases and vaccines. The University of Washington received a $1 million grant for an HIV project. The foundation awarded over $250,000 to the World Health Organization to help fund a malaria conference and one-half million dollars to Oxfam America to support emergency relief efforts following a flood in Guatemala. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also funds programs that address issues specific to the United States, including an adult basic education program facilitated by the Seattle Foundation, a homelessness assistance program run by Rotary International and a California educational program run by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

References

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Foundation Grantmaking Priorities
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Frequently Asked Questions: For Grant Seekers
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Search Past Grants
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: About the Foundation
• Foundation Center: Top 100 U.S. Foundations by Total Giving