Since its inception, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has expanded its focus from health and poverty alleviation to other areas, such as education, agriculture, and development policy. In 2021, its total funding amounted to $6.7 billion — more than the contribution of 10 Development Assistance Committee member countries, including Italy, Canada, and Sweden.
Among its priorities is emergency response — an area under its Global Development program — with grants focused on supporting relief efforts and humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters, disease outbreaks, political conflicts, and other emergencies.
In over two decades, the foundation has awarded $498.5 million to 96 organizations based in 29 countries for a total of 536 emergency response grants.