SEATTLE, United States (Kaab TV) — To mark its 25th anniversary, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a historic plan to double its spending over the next 20 years, committing $200 billion by 2045 to advance global health, reduce poverty, and expand opportunity.
The announcement sets a new sunset date for the foundation and reflects an urgent push to accelerate progress amid mounting global challenges.
“There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people,” Gates wrote. “That is why I have decided to give my money back to society much faster than I had originally planned,” the foundation Chair Bill Gates explained said in a personal post shared Wednesday.
The announcement marks the largest philanthropic commitment in modern history, surpassing the foundation’s current endowment.
The difference will be covered through future contributions from Gates’ personal wealth.
A revised charter, approved by the board, replaces the original sunset plan—which tied closure to 20 years after Gates’ death—with a firm deadline of 2045.
“With input from our board, I now believe we can achieve the foundation’s goals on a shorter timeline, especially if we double down on key investments and provide more certainty to our partners,” Gates noted.
Ambitious Focus for the Next Two Decades
While its core strategies remain unchanged, the Gates Foundation will focus on three primary goals over the next 20 years:
- Ending preventable deaths of mothers and newborns
- Ensuring the next generation is free from deadly infectious diseases
- Lifting millions out of poverty toward sustainable prosperity
“Over the next two decades, we will double our giving,” Gates added. “I expect the foundation will spend more than $200 billion between now and 2045.”
A Legacy of Impact—and Urgency for the Future
Since its founding in 2000, the Gates Foundation has disbursed over $100 billion, playing a critical role in saving 82 million lives—largely through support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The foundation and its partners have delivered over 100 health innovations, including vaccines and diagnostic tools for use in low- and middle-income countries.
“The needs at this time are greater than any we’ve seen in the lifetime of the foundation,” said CEO Mark Suzman, “but the achievements of the past 25 years show what is possible.
That’s why we’ll apply everything we’ve learned to make an even bigger difference over the next two decades.”
The decision comes amid stagnating—or even regressing—global health and development trends, as governments slash aid budgets and climate and conflict exacerbate inequality.
Yet, Gates emphasized that new technologies and innovations, from AI to next-generation vaccines, provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance human development.
“There have never been more opportunities to help people live healthier, more prosperous lives,” Gates wrote. “Even with all the challenges that the world faces, I’m optimistic—because each breakthrough is yet another chance to make someone’s life better.”
Strengthening the Future of Philanthropy
In addition to its global health and poverty work, the foundation will continue to focus on:
- Expanding education and career opportunities for U.S. students
- Building inclusive economies through digital public infrastructure
- Using AI to improve healthcare, education, and agriculture
- Advancing gender equality to empower women and families
A key part of the 20-year plan is to strengthen the global philanthropic ecosystem.
The foundation aims to ensure that institutions, nonprofits, and multilateral partners can continue making an impact long after it ceases operations.
“The work of making the world better is and always has been a group effort,” Gates wrote. “I believe we can leave the next generation better off and better prepared to fight the next set of challenges.”
Earlier this year, the foundation announced its largest-ever annual budget, with $9 billion expected to be disbursed in 2026.