On the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates announced a bold new plan to significantly ramp up the foundation’s efforts to improve global health and development. Over the next 20 years, the foundation plans to spend $200 billion—twice the amount it spent in its first quarter-century—as it works to end its operations by 2045.
The announcement, made through a personal message from Gates, marks one of the most substantial philanthropic commitments in modern history. “There are urgent challenges that can’t wait,” Gates explained. “That’s why I’ve chosen to accelerate my giving. Nearly all my wealth will be donated through the Gates Foundation over the next 20 years to support global efforts to save and enhance lives.”
This decision was ratified by the foundation’s board, which amended its original charter. Previously, the foundation was set to close 20 years after Gates’ death. Now, the organisation will conclude its work by 2045, with additional funding sourced from Gates’ personal fortune beyond its existing endowment.
“I’ve reconsidered the original timeline,” Gates noted. “With guidance from the board, I now believe we can achieve our goals faster by intensifying our investment and giving partners more stability.”
While the foundation’s mission remains unchanged, it will focus on three main objectives over the next two decades:
- Ending preventable deaths among mothers and newborns
- Protecting future generations from deadly infectious diseases
- Lifting millions out of poverty and putting them on the path to prosperity
Gates highlighted that the foundation, with key support from Warren Buffett, has already donated over $100 billion. Now, the plan is to double that impact. While the final amount may vary based on economic conditions, Gates expects to exceed $200 billion in total spending by 2045.
This urgency is driven by both immense need and extraordinary opportunity. Between 2000 and 2025, global health saw major strides—child mortality dropped by half, deaths from infectious diseases fell significantly, and hundreds of millions escaped poverty. The foundation played a major role in this progress, helping save an estimated 82 million lives through initiatives like Gavi and the Global Fund. It also contributed to over 100 health-related innovations—including new vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments—focused on low- and middle-income countries.
Mark Suzman, the foundation’s CEO, emphasised the importance of acting now: “Global challenges are mounting, but so are the tools and technologies at our disposal. The next 20 years will be about turning those innovations into impact, building on the lessons and achievements of the past 25 years.”
The announcement comes at a time when progress in global health has stalled or reversed in many areas, exacerbated by major cuts in international aid. However, rapid advances in science, technology, and artificial intelligence are creating new pathways to deliver better outcomes more efficiently.
“There has never been a better time to make a difference,” Gates said. “Breakthroughs in areas like AI are opening up transformative possibilities—from health care to education to agriculture.”
In addition to global health, the foundation will continue to support key areas such as:
- Expanding opportunities for students in the U.S.
- Strengthening digital infrastructure to improve access to financial and social services
- Using AI to improve service delivery in sectors like education and agriculture
- Promoting gender equality to empower women through access to education, healthcare, and financial tools
Gates emphasised that this work is a collective effort: “The progress we’ve made so far is thanks to countless partners. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but I’m even more hopeful about what we can accomplish in the years ahead. We owe it to the next generation to leave them better prepared to tackle future challenges.”
Earlier in 2025, the foundation announced its largest annual budget ever, aligning with its plan to distribute $9 billion in grants next year as part of this accelerated vision.
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