The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private foundation, has been in the spotlight lately amid the divorce of its founders. Despite the personal turmoil, the foundation committed over half a billion dollars in grants since the start of 2021.
According to its own reported data, the 231 grants awarded this year ranged in value from $1,000 to $122 million. While 2020 recorded $4.4 billion in grants — a 26% increase compared to 2019.
The global health sector has dominated Gates grants since the beginning of 2020, accounting for 38% of funds awarded. The next priority for grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is global development, followed by global policy and advocacy. Out of the 2,350 grants committed in this period, 18% include “COVID-19” or “coronavirus” in their title. This subset amounts to $609 million.