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, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

They work with partner organizations worldwide to tackle critical problems in four program areas.

Their Global Development Division works to help the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of hunger and poverty.

Their Global Health Division aims to harness advances in science and technology to save lives in developing countries.

Their United States Division works to improve U.S. high school and post secondary education and support vulnerable children and families in Washington State.

And their Global Policy & Advocacy Division seeks to build strategic relationships and promote policies that will help advance our work.

Their approach to grant making in all four areas emphasizes collaboration, innovation, risk-taking, and, most importantly, results.