Bill Gates's New Online Effort to Talk About Philanthropy

Bill Gates, the world’s wealthiest man, is now sending messages through the popular social-networking site Twitter about his philanthropy. It includes discussions about public education, climate change, and even a travel diary. Also, to discuss his charitable work the world’s wealthiest man has started a new Web site known as Gates Notes.

Full text article by Ian Wilhelm is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1/20/10.

Gates charity funds go out as loans, too

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is increasingly making loans, loan guarantees, and equity investments as ways to stretch its philanthropic dollars, The Seattle Times reports. The so-called program-related investments include $20-million to a German company to expand banking services in Africa, an $8-million equity fund to invest in health-care ventures, and loan guarantees backing U.S. education.

Full-text post by Kristi Heim is available via The Seattle Times, 9/20/09.

Cash Strapped Charities Put Donors' Names On Just About Everything

A new trend sparks charitable gifts as donors are recognized with plaques, buildings or even restrooms named after the philanthropists. Donor naming has been around for centuries; John Harvard got his name on a college in 1639 by bequeathing 400 books, and one of that school's former students, Bill Gates, has his name on a $30 billion foundation. But deals involving naming rights granted by nonprofits and governmental units have expanded dramatically in recent years in scope, creativity, number and dollar volume.

Full-text article by William P. Barrett is available via Forbes, 9/2/09.

Billion-Dollar Donors

These 14 philanthropists are the most generous people on the planet.

The most exclusive subset of the world's wealthy may be this one: those living philanthropists who have already given away $1 billion or more. For the first time ever, Forbes has put together a list of the world's billion-dollar donors.

Full-text article by David Whelan, Tatiana Serafin and Cristina von Zeppelin is available via Forbes, 8.24.09.

Rise of the Super-Rich Hits a Sobering Wall

The rich, as a group, are no longer getting richer. Over the last two years, they have become poorer. And many may not return to their old levels of wealth and income anytime soon.

Full-text article by David Leonhardt and Geraldine Fabrikant is available via The New York Times, 8.20.09.

Raising Bill Gates

Behind the Bill Gates success story is the other William Gates. The senior Mr. Gates balanced a family thrown off kilter by a boy who appeared to gain the intellect of an adult almost overnight. He served as a quiet counsel as his son jumped into and thrived in the cutthroat business world. When huge wealth put new pressure on the son, the elder Gates stepped in to start what is now the world's largest private philanthropy.

Full-text article by Robert A. Guth is available via The Wall Street Journal, 4.25.09.

Bill Gates Prods Washington on Foreign Aid, Education

Philanthropist Bill Gates urged lawmakers and the coming Obama administration to maintain U.S. investments in foreign-aid and education initiatives despite the financial crisis.

Full-text article by Robert A. Guth is available via the Wall Street Journal, 12.4.08.