LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Bill Gates: Melinda Gates Foundation
built 237 days ago
Bill Gates continues to play a very active role in the workings of the Microsoft Company, but has handed the position of CEO over to Steve Ballmer. Gates now holds the positions of "Chairman" and "Chief Software Architect". He has started that he plans to take on fewer responsibilities at Microsoft and will eventually devote all his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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In addition to extending Microsoft's success, Gates ... turned his attention to philanthropy, including the establishment of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates and his wife endowed the foundation with $24 billion to support philanthropic initiatives in the areas of global health and learning. For example, Gates made plans in February 2004 to donate $82.9 million for research to develop a new vaccine against tuberculosis. In addition to his duties at Microsoft and his efforts in philanthropy, Gates sat on the board of ICOS, a company that specialized in protein-based and small-molecule therapeutics.
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In October 2006 the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was split into two entities: the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, which manages the endowment assets and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which "... conducts all operations and grantmaking work, and it is the entity from which all grants are made."[26][27] Also announced was the decision to "... spend all of [the Trust's] resources within 50 years after Bill's and Melinda's deaths."[28][29][30][31] This would close the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and effectively end the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In the same announcement it was reiterated that Warren Buffett "... has stipulated that the proceeds from the Berkshire Hathaway shares he still owns at death are to be used for philanthropic purposes within 10 years after his estate has been settled."[32]
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Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people -- especially those with the fewest resources -- have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. For more information, visit: www.gatesfoundation.org .
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The Gates Millennium Scholars program, a $1 billion initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was launched in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The world's largest private scholarship effort in the world, awards are given to African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students who demonstrate academic excellence, community service and strong leadership skills. The scholarship funds college costs not covered by other programs and scholarships and can be renewed for up to five years for undergraduate study in any field, two years of graduate, and four years of PhD study in approved fields. On August 1st, 2006, GMS opened the 2007-08 nomination process. The deadline is January 12, 2007. http://www.gmsp.org/.
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In June 2006 Gates announced that he would begin transitioning from a full-time role at Microsoft to a full-time role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He relinquished his title of chief software architect to Ray Ozzie, a veteran leader in computer technology and creator of Lotus Notes. Gates planned to remain chairman of Microsoft and to continue as its largest shareholder, but he said that by July 2008 he would have only a part-time role at the company he cofounded.
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Melinda Gates Foundation