Gates Foundation Trust

KIRKLAND, WA EIN: 91-1663695

Gates Foundation Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in KIRKLAND, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $77.6B in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $8.1B. Net investment income was $11.0B.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$77.6B

+2.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$8.1B

+4.4% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8.1B

+4.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gates Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $3.8B for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Gates Foundation Trust

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Ready to take the next step with Gates Foundation Trust?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Washington $35541.0M (100%)

States

Washington

Cities

Seattle

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$77,564,446,975	$75,530,745,576	$67,972,986,359
Revenue	$10,160,927,058	$6,534,759,844	$28,564,317,333
Expenses	$8,482,196,824	$8,285,346,420	$7,047,093,548
Qualifying Distributions	$7,069,122,167	$6,708,165,714	$6,126,232,500
Net Investment Income	$10,976,125,995	$7,262,771,877	$9,459,803,150
Distributable Amount	$3,812,380,899	$3,396,161,473	$2,729,713,546

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Gates Foundation Trust

Foundation

Future Injectable Market Steward

GATES FOUNDATION TRUST

Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Gates Foundation ($8,096,000,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
GATES FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA	TO FUND THE CHARITABLE PURPOSES OF THE FOUNDATION	$8,096,000,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
WILLIAM H GATES III	TRUSTEE AND CEO	5	—
MELINDA FRENCH GATES END 10012024	TRUSTEE	5	—
CAROLYN AINSLIE	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER	4	—
KEITH TRAVERSE	SECRETARY	1	—
LAUREN BRIGHT	ASSISTANT SECRETARY	1	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gates Foundation Trust?

Gates Foundation Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in KIRKLAND, WA. It holds $77.6B in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Gates Foundation Trust?

As of 2024, Gates Foundation Trust holds $77.6B in total assets with $10.2B in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grants totaling $8.1B in 2024.

Where does Gates Foundation Trust operate?

Gates Foundation Trust has awarded grants in Washington.

What size grants does Gates Foundation Trust award?

In 2024, Gates Foundation Trust awarded 1 grants totaling $8.1B — an average of about $8.1B per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Gates Foundation Trust required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gates Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $3.8B on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.