Bill Gates Foundation

Bill Gates foundation was found in 1994 by Bill Gates and was initially named as “William H Gates Foundation”. The idea to setup Bill Gates foundation was public driven as the thought that Bill could do some charity from his enormous wealth gained popularity among the general public. Gauging the public anticipation Bill Gates sold a part of shares held in Microsoft worth US$94 million and set up the Bill Gates foundation. Later the charity funds of three families were merged to create Bill Gates and Melinda foundation in the year 1999. Popularly known as the B&MGF or the Gates Foundation, it’s driven by the passion and interest of the Gates family. Bill Gates and Melinda foundation has a global as well as domestic vision and specific objectives.

• To reduce extreme poverty and improve health care world wide
• Expansion of education opportunities and accessibility of information technology in America

Three trusties namely Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet control the Bill Gates and Melinda foundation located in Seattle, Washington. As on 31 Dec 09, the foundation had an incredible US$ 33.5 billion of endowments making the Bill Gates and Melinda foundation the biggest transparently operated foundation across the globe. The founders were ranked second most generous in America in the year 2007.

Bill Gates foundation scholarship is granted through various schemes to number of students with the mission to expand education opportunities in America. Some of the Bill Gates foundation scholarship schemes are:

• D.C. Achievers Scholarships: A $122 million Bill Gates foundation scholarship scheme to enable hundreds of Columbia’s poorest students attend college.
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships: A $210 million dollar Bill Gates foundation scholarship initiative for the graduates in Cambridge University, benefiting 100 new students a year.
• Gates Millennium Scholars:  A $1.5 billion dollar Bill Gates foundation scholarship program for the high achieving minority students
• Washington State Achievers Scholarship:  The scholarship program to encourage schools create environment for high academic achievements by way of sponsoring select students from the school.

William H. Gates Public Service Law Program:

Scholarship for scholars committed to work in public service legal positions offering low remuneration for five years post graduation.