Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Company: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Company Description: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to bringing innovations in health, development, and learning to the global community.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Non-Profit or Government Organization of the Year - Up To 100 Employees
Nomination Title: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated organization during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):
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 Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Statistics as of June 30, 2011
Number of employees: approximately 957
Asset trust endowment: $36.3 billion
Total grant commitments since inception: $25.36 billion
Total 2010 grant payments: $2.6 billion (2)
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it is accepting nominations for the first Gates Vaccine Innovation Award to recognize, celebrate, and spur transformative ideas for achieving impact through the delivery of vaccines. Nominations will be accepted through November 17, 2011, at 11:30 am Pacific Standard Time. (3)
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs announced it has received a $2.25 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant enables the Council to expand its Global Agricultural Development Initiative which supports a renewed U.S. focus on agricultural development as a means to increase food security, alleviate global poverty and spur economic development. The Initiative provides support, technical assistance and innovation towards the formulation and implementation of U.S. global agricultural development policies and offers external evaluation and accountability for U.S. progress on its policy commitments. (4)
List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:
1. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/leadership/Pages/overview.aspx
2. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/Pages/foundation-fact-sheet.aspx
3. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/press-releases/Pages/gates-vaccine-innovation-award-111006.aspx
4. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/press-releases/Pages/agricultural-development-initiative-101223.aspx
Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated organization (up to 100 words):
As co-chairs, Bill and Melinda Gates shape and approve foundation strategies, review results, advocate for the foundation’s issues, and help set the overall direction of the organization.
Melinda Gates received a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a master’s in business administration from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in 1987.
After joining Microsoft Corp. in 1987, she distinguished herself in business as a leader in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products. In 1996, Gates retired from her position and has directed her energy toward the nonprofit world. In addition to her role with the foundation, she is a former member of the board of trustees of Duke University and is a former co-chair of the Washington State Governor’s Commission on Early Learning.
Choose one (even if both apply):
The CEO (or other principal manager) of this company is a woman, and at least 40% of the management team is comprised of women.