Bill Gates begins winding down the Gates Foundation, deploying his $107 billion fortune while planning record $9B spending and gradual layoffs.
Bill Gates Begins Strategic Wind-Down of Gates Foundation, Deploys $107 Billion Personal Fortune (Source: X)
Bill Gates Foundation Shutdown: Bill Gates has officially started the first steps to wind down the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, signaling a major transformation for one of the world’s largest philanthropic organisations. This follows Gates’ earlier announcement that he plans to donate 99% of his remaining personal fortune to the foundation. The organisation is now scheduled to shut down by 2045, earlier than previously expected.
Until the foundation’s closure, it will continue drawing on its endowment alongside nearly all of Gates’ personal fortune, which is currently estimated at $107 billion. This financial support aims to maintain and even expand the foundation’s impact over the next two decades.
As part of the wind-down strategy, the foundation has approved its largest annual spending to date—$9 billion for 2026. This record budget reflects an effort to address urgent global challenges such as health, poverty reduction, and education, especially at a time when international aid budgets are under strain in several countries.
Over the remaining lifespan of the foundation, it is expected to spend close to $200 billion before formally closing. Leadership has stated that the next few years will focus on maximising the foundation’s impact while ensuring a structured and orderly shutdown.
Alongside the increased programme spending, the Gates Foundation has announced plans to reduce its workforce by up to 500 positions over the next five years. These reductions will be gradual, achieved primarily through attrition and selective role cuts, rather than immediate layoffs. The goal is to keep operating costs within a fixed cap of $1.25 billion annually, roughly 14% of the total budget.
“We will do this thoughtfully, carefully, and systematically,” said Mark Suzman, CEO of the foundation. “The 500-job figure represents a maximum target. I very much hope that we won’t have to do it at that scale.”
Currently, the foundation employs over 2,300 people, and management plans to review staffing levels and costs annually during the transition.
Despite the planned closure, the foundation will continue to fund crucial global initiatives. These include maternal and child health, vaccine development, infectious disease prevention, and education programmes. Additional investments are being directed toward leveraging artificial intelligence tools in public-sector and health-related projects.
The organisation is also increasing its operational presence in regions such as Africa and India, shifting programme leadership and implementation closer to areas most affected by diseases like HIV and tuberculosis.
Foundation leaders emphasise that there are nearly two decades left before the foundation’s planned shutdown. They aim to deliver the most substantial outcomes during this period, balancing accelerated spending now with a clearly defined end date in 2045. The wind-down strategy reflects a careful plan to ensure maximum impact while preparing the organisation for its eventual closure.
