Gates Foundation Trust
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 grant totaling $8.1B. Net investment income was $11.0B.
Key facts about Gates Foundation Trust
- EIN
- 91-1663695
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,096,000,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $8,096,000,000
- Median grant
- $8,096,000,000
- Total assets
- $77,564,446,975
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How Gates Foundation Trust gives
- Giving grew 32% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 185% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Gates Foundation Trust
- How to evaluate Gates Foundation Trust as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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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
1
+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
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 grant totaling $8.1B. Net investment income was $11.0B.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| 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 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients 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
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS 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
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 grant 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 grant 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.
What is Gates Foundation Trust's EIN?
Gates Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1663695. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gates Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.