2008
During a convening of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Bill Gates addresses international business and government leaders in a speech on "creative capitalism," encouraging them to "stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a profit, or gain recognition, doing work that eases the world's inequities."
Patty Stonesifer announces she will transition from CEO to a new and different role at the foundation. Jeff Raikes, former president of the Microsoft Business Division, is named the next CEO of the foundation effective Sept. 2, 2008.
2007
The foundation forms advisory panels for each of its three program areas—Global Health, Global Development, and the U.S. Program—in a continued effort to benefit from outside experts and have a greater impact on reducing the world's inequities. Each panel is composed of experts with a wide range of experience and perspectives relevant to the foundation's core issues.
Co-chair Bill Gates returns to Harvard University to receive an honorary degree and speaks to the university's graduates on the importance of philanthropy and giving.
Co-Chair Melinda French Gates joins former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton to speak at the 75th Anniversary Benefit for Save the Children. The three are honored for their global humanitarian work and steadfast support of Save the Children and its programs.
2006
The foundation reorganizes into three programs—Global Development, Global Health, and United States. As of 2008, the three program presidents are Allan C. Golston, U.S. Program; Dr. Tadataka "Tachi" Yamada, Global Health Program; and Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Global Development Program.
Co-chair Bill Gates announces he will transition from his fulltime position at Microsoft Corporation to work fulltime for the foundation, beginning in 2008. U.S. investor Warren Buffett pledges to give 10 million Berkshire Hathaway class B shares to the foundation to further its philanthropic mission. More information on the arrangement is available here.
2005
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and foundation CEO Patty Stonesifer announce that the foundation will build new headquarters near the city's landmark Space Needle. The foundation plans to move into its new campus in the winter of 2010.
2000
The William H. Gates Foundation merges with the Gates Learning Foundation and is renamed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the merger is to build the right organizations, teams, strategies and initiatives to effectively use the foundation's increased endowment. The main initiatives are: Global Health, Education, Libraries, and Pacific Northwest. Patty Stonesifer and William H. Gates Sr. serve as the foundation's co-chairs.
With a broadening commitment to education, the Gates Library Foundation becomes the Gates Learning Foundation. Bill and Melinda Gates contribute nearly $16 billion to the foundations, which move from separate offices above a pizza parlor and downtown to a new facility in Seattle.
1997
Bill and Melinda Gates launch the Gates Library Foundation to bring computers and Internet access to public libraries in low-income communities in the United States and Canada. Former Microsoft executive Patty Stonesifer takes on the foundation’s leadership. The William H. Gates Foundation continues as a separate entity.
1994
After years of contributing to charitable causes, Bill and Melinda Gates consolidate their giving to address two main initiatives: Global Health and community needs in the Pacific Northwest. Bill’s father, William H. Gates Sr., agrees to manage the new William H. Gates Foundation, formed in December 1994 with an initial stock gift of about $94 million.
