Bill Gates’ $200 Billion Philanthropic Moonshot: The Boldest Bet on Humanity Yet

At 70, Bill Gates isn’t slowing down—he’s launching the most ambitious philanthropic initiative in history.

Today, the Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist announced he will donate nearly all of his personal wealth—roughly $100 billion—to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, effectively doubling its resources. The move will fund the foundation’s efforts to eliminate major diseases and reduce global poverty at an unprecedented scale. But there’s a twist: the entire $200 billion—factoring in the current endowment and expected growth—must be spent within 20 years. After that, the foundation will shut down permanently.

“By spending the money sooner than later, it allows us to be very ambitious,” Gates told Fortune in an exclusive interview.

The decision to sunset the foundation stands in sharp contrast to other century-spanning philanthropic institutions like those of Rockefeller and Carnegie. Instead, the Gates Foundation will increase its annual spending to around $10 billion—a figure greater than the foreign aid budgets of most nations.

Eradicating Disease, Redefining Philanthropy

Gates believes the foundation could wipe out four to five of the deadliest preventable diseases in the next two decades. Building on its long-term campaigns against polio and malaria, the foundation is also targeting tuberculosis and AIDS, with goals to reduce their death tolls by 90%.

“We are very close to making history,” Gates said. “If we commit now, these diseases could be gone forever.”

However, the plan’s success hinges not just on money, but on global cooperation. With many wealthy nations cutting foreign aid—most notably the U.S., U.K., and France—Gates warns that these setbacks could undermine years of progress.

“Unless the rich countries stay generous, the progress is going to stop—and may even go into reverse,” he cautioned.

A Hands-On Approach That Changed the Game

Since its founding in 2000, the Gates Foundation has invested over $100 billion in health, education, and development. It helped launch Gavi, a vaccine alliance that has immunized over a billion children, and has supported projects in 135 countries.

Its operational style sets it apart from traditional philanthropies. With more than 2,000 employees worldwide, the foundation directly funds and executes projects—developing vaccines, agricultural innovations, and financial tools for the poor. It’s not just a donor—it’s an active participant.

“We’re the most hands-on,” Gates said. “We have the world’s best tuberculosis team. Sadly, nobody really competes with us on that.”

Tech DNA Meets Global Health

Gates describes the foundation as “a top-notch innovation organization,” drawing from lessons at Microsoft—but with saving lives as the end goal, not profit.

That mindset has led to major breakthroughs, like drought-resistant crops and self-injectable contraceptives. The foundation is also investing in AI, co-founding a new global initiative to bring advanced computing power to countries in the Global South.

“Immunizations are the best, highest ROI of anything anyone can do,” said Ankur Vora, the foundation’s strategy chief.

Not Without Critics

Despite its achievements, the Gates Foundation faces criticism. Activist groups in Africa have questioned the focus on genetically modified crops. Others argue that billionaire philanthropy undermines public institutions or concentrates too much power in too few hands.

Still, Gates welcomes constructive criticism.

“I’d love to have 10 times as many malaria critics and malnutrition critics,” he said. “That’s really very good.”

But he has little patience for ideological attacks that ignore the scale of suffering the foundation addresses.

“Not many people would say, ‘No, I wish he was buying a yacht. The world would be so much better off,’” he quipped.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Givers

Gates is also focused on making philanthropy contagious. Through the Giving Pledge, which he co-founded with Warren Buffett, he’s persuaded 244 billionaires to commit at least half their wealth to charitable causes.

“We wanted them to be committed,” Gates said. “We started with the hope we’d maybe get 50 to 80 like-minded philanthropists.”

Gates and Buffett envision a future where today’s billionaires carry the torch beyond 2045, picking up where the Gates Foundation leaves off.

A Race Against Time

As the countdown begins on the foundation’s 20-year timeline, Gates is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead—from political shifts to climate change. Yet, he remains optimistic that the next two decades can transform global health and human development.

“All we can do is give it our absolute best,” Gates said. “And hope others will follow.”