Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and his wife Melinda have donated over $3.3
billion this week, making their gifts the largest charitable donations ever
made. $2.23 billion was donated to the William H. Gates foundation, which
is named after Gates' father. The foundation was established to provide
grants to causes related to world health, population, education, and other
services in the Seattle area. Another $1.15 billion was donated to the
Gates Learning Foundation, which is dedicated to providing computers and
Internet access to lower income families and schools.
Interestingly, the Gates never intended for these gifts to go public, but
a reporter from Fortune magazine discovered that a $1 billion gift from
Gates last year went virtually uncovered in the press. The same reporter
also discovered these gifts, so the Gates decided to make an announcement.
The Gates has donated over $5 billion to these two charities since 1994.
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