Foundation Memories Annual Letter 2020

Melinda Gates on progress and impact over the last two decades at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has spent $53.8 billion over the last 20 years. Innovation drives progress. Not just incremental progress, but swinging the fences. When you swing for the fences, you’re putting every ounce of strength into hitting the ball as far as possible. You know that your bat might miss the ball entirely—but that if you succeed in making contact, the rewards can be huge. Philanthropy takes risks that governments can’t and corporations won’t. Governments need to focus most of their resources on scaling proven solutions.