The world’s richest man and the chairman and co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates’ foundation known as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation started in April 2006. It is the world’s largest private charitable foundation that involves in global health programs, global development programs and United States programs including education. Programs involved include reducing HIV infections to college-ready education and post-secondary education success in the U.S. As of June 2013, it had an endowment worth over $38.3 billion. Warren Buffet, another notable billionaire and Berkshire Hathaway Chairman has agreed to donate substantial amount of his shares in the company to the Gates Foundation starting with 500,000 shares worth over $1.5 billion. The foundation is controlled by its three trustees Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
According to published reports, the Foundation grants in 2011 totaled over $4.4 billion. The Gates, who has an estimated net worth over $66 billion expected to give away majority of their fortune over their lifetime. It is estimated that the Foundation has granted more than $25 billion to date for their causes. In addition to giving away their fortune, the Gates spend most of their time on charitable work spending time all over the world.