North America

Our work in the United States and Canada—research, innovation, policy and advocacy, and program investments in education, economic mobility, and global health and development—supports the foundation’s work across the globe. We invest in deep relationships with community leaders and innovators who are doing positive work that supports communities domestically and globally, as well as media partnerships to build awareness of critical issues. We believe that together these efforts have the potential to create life-changing opportunities for learning, growth and prosperity.

At a glance

  • The foundation is based in the United States and headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
  • Our work in North America supports the foundation’s efforts across the world, with particular focus on global health and development through investments in research and innovative tools.
  • The work of our U.S. Program focuses on K-12 and postsecondary education, education pathways, and economic mobility and opportunity.
  • In the United States and Canada, we build relationships with community leaders, policymakers, and innovators who are working to transform schools and create opportunity around the world.
  • The foundation works in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with focus in Washington, DC, Florida, Texas, New York, California, and Tennessee.

The latest updates on our work in North America

coronavirus testing
Article

Why Black colleges and universities are America’s newest–and most critical–diagnostic testing hubs

Many HBCUs, especially those in rural areas, have insufficient access to testing. The U.S. Program is offering grants to improve critical diagnostic testing infrastructure for these institutions.
Allan C. Golston President, U.S. Program, Gates Foundation
Ryan Rippel Grand Challenge
Article

Using authentic voices and stories to upend views on poverty and race

The Voices for Economic Opportunity Grand Challenges has awarded 28 grants to organizations in order to help tell the stories of people facing poverty and marginalization in the U.S.
Ryan Rippel Director, U.S. Economic Mobility and Opportunity, Gates Foundation
Preparing American students for school next year
Article

The strangest school year in memory is about to end. How do we get ready for the next one?

Allan Golston, president of U.S. Programs at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shares how the foundation and its partners are supporting U.S. students during COVID-19.
Allan C. Golston President, U.S. Program, Gates Foundation
Child receiving lunch
Article

“Seattle isn’t just our headquarters. It’s our home”: A conversation with Amy Carter about BMGF’s local response to a global pandemic

Amy Carter, director of Community Engagement, discusses the two-pronged approach the foundation is taking to tackle COVID-19 in Seattle: deploying money and expertise.
Amy Carter Director, Community Engagement, Gates Foundation

Overview

In North America, we support investments in research, development and the production of innovative tools to solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

We do this by ensuring appropriate funding is brought to scale in the U.S. and Canada to support global health and development needs. These investments advance our strategies and projects to address HIV, polio, malaria, nutrition, and pneumonia, among other global challenges.

In addition to efforts that support our global work, we work with local leaders in the U.S. with local knowledge and experience, who share our belief that our educational and economic systems in the country need to work better for everyone. The foundation is involved in programmatic activities in the U.S. that include, education, economic mobility and opportunity, and wraparound services in our home state of Washington.

More about our work in North America

Regional office

Our North America team is based in our regional office in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Program

We work to ensure everyone in the U.S. can learn, grow, and get ahead, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or family income.

Media Center

Learn more about our work in North America through stories, perspectives, and insights from the field.