Excerpts from Books and Wikipedia
"Based in Seattle, Washington, it was launched in 2000 and is reported to be the largest private foundation in the world, holding $50.7 billion in assets. The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and, in the U.S., to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology. The foundation is controlled by its three trustees: Bill and Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett." [Wikipedia]
"The Gates Foundation is a latecomer to this world, but within a decade it has become the largest donor ever, due to the family earnings in Microsoft. In 2003, its assets stood at almost $27 billion, and it was spending more than $1 billion in grants each year. Its largest program concerns what it calls “global health,” where $576 million was given out in 2003 alone, chiefly in combating deadly diseases like HIV and malaria. It has become a particularly important player in the fight to combat AIDS in Africa, with moneys going to everything from medical research to health care provision for those affected by HIV/AIDS. It therefore does not have Ford’s range (or overseas offices) but places large money on large projects." [Kennedy: Parliament of Man, Kindle Edition, Location 3838-49]