Tuesday, July 29, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle has grown from a start-up to become the nation's largest and most visible foundation in the span of just eight years.
The foundation - formed in 2000 from a merger between the Gates Learning Foundation and a philanthropy run by William H. Gates Sr. — has $38-billion in assets and will give out more than $3-billion next year.
As the Gates Foundation's chief executive officer, Patty Stonesifer has been a key figure in its explosive growth.
But as the foundation prepares for the arrival of Bill Gates as a full-time executive, Ms. Stonesifer is stepping down to pursue other interests. As she does so, she has agreed to take part in a one-hour live discussion with Chronicle readers to talk about the foundation and its future.
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The Guest
Patty Stonesifer is the outgoing chief executive officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle. She is a former executive with Microsoft, working as senior vice president of its Interactive Media division. She worked briefly as a management consultant before the Gates family hired her to lead the Gates Library Foundation in 1997. That fund, later renamed the Gates Learning Foundation, merged with a second Gates philanthropy in 2000 to become the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A transcript of the chat follows.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
Welcome to today's live discussion with Patty Stonesifer, the outgoing chief executive officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As many of you know, Ms. Stonesifer is charged with managing the nation's largest foundation -- a foundation that is a major force in American philanthropy. During the next hour, you will have the opportunity to speak directly to Ms. Stonesifer and get her thoughts on the foundation and its future.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
For those who are new to our live discussions, this is a text-only chat. This page will refresh every minute with the latest responses. To submit a question, click on the "ask a question" link on this page and type away. Ms. Stonesifer will respond to as many queries as she can within the next hour. I also ask that you refrain from using this venue to make direct appeals.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
Ok, now that we've gotten all of that out of the way, let's get started.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks Peter, I am pleased to be participating in this forum. Over the past 12 years I have had the privilege of learning from hundreds of leaders in global health, development and education in the United States and around the world as we worked to shape our own work to have impact on these big inequities. It certainly all started with Bill and Melinda Gates commitment to philanthropy - but it has been shaped by many of your readers - so I'm excited to participate in this discussion and answer questions - and learn even more!
Question from Victoria Scrozzo:
How does the foundation choose which projects/causes to support -- is it up to the Gates', or is it done by committee?
Patty Stonesifer:
Great question and as you can imagine, one I get asked a lot! Indulge me as I will start at the beginning...
We are guided by two main principles: 1) that all lives, no matter where they are lived, have equal value and 2) that all people should be given a chance to lead healthy, productive lives. These principles led Bill and Melinda to select three focused areas where they saw great inequity and where we believe that, through focused effort, we can have the greatest impact: improving global health, reducing poverty, and strengthening education in the United States.
Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet worked closely with the leadership and teams in our Global Health, Global Development and United States programs in our strategy and program development process. The teams start out by clearly identifying the biggest problems in each of our focus areas and understanding key barriers to change, scoping the landscape (who is doing what, what is going on in this area), and with the problem and landscape understood we then develop a strategy for the foundation's role that answers the "how could we have the most impact" question which guides this process. Often hundreds of partners and practioners and leaders are involved in getting us to this stage - we hold learning sessions, seek outside input, get pros and cons and considerations from many experts and those most affected. Only once we have agreed on our strategies and tactics do we move to recommendations on resource (money) allocation and, of course, identifying appropriate partners and organizations to execute the work. Our trustees are very engaged in helping decide on these strategies and plans - but then our grant making is largely led by the teams and our program Presidents who have the authority to act against those detailed strategies - to find the partners, programs, activities that will achieve the impact we are all hoping to have. We do have three very important Advisory Commmittees - one for each of our main program areas - Global Health, Global Development, US Programs - and these outside advisors review our strategies and our efforts and provide very important perspective and direction that helps us course correct and improve our work.
Question from Eden Graber, Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations:
In the area of Global Health program strategy, the focus is on infectious and parasitic disease, yet chronic disease is the fastest growing, most expensive and potentially most threatening challenge, predicted to overtake infectious diseases in countries such as India and China in the next few decades. Nutrition also plays a great role in these diseases, consistent with your goals of improving nutrition to promote health. Will you consider including chronic disease under your funding priorities?
Patty Stonesifer:
Our Global Health Program focuses on diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect the developing world - in other words, diseases that are major killers in developing countries but do not affect developed countries as seriously. In some cases this means infectious diseases such as malaria, which kills 2,000 African children every day, even though it was eradicated from the United States and Europe decades ago. In other cases, it means non-infectious health conditions such as malnutrition and complications of childbirth. We recently announced a partnership led by Michael Bloomberg which is focused on reducing the impact of tobacco on health in the developing world. We look at each major health issue by burden, the neglect of the burden by others, and whether we think there is something we can do/support that might have a very significant effect. We don't have plans at this point to change our Global Health strategy.
Question from The Music Stand Foundation, Lisa A. Crawford, President:
What are some of the ways you have found to successfully motivate politicians to support your philanthropic efforts?
Patty Stonesifer:
This is a really important question. It wasn't something that, when we started the Foundation, we realized would play such a central role in our work. But in learning more about the problems we are focused on we also understood more clearly the reality: even with all of our resources, government still plays a disproportionate role in providing funding and support to address issues that face the poorest people in society. By 2000 we understood that we must work closely with government leaders, corporate leaders, activists, and - most importantly because these problems are shared by all of us - citizens to fight diseases and extreme poverty in developing countries and promote widespread changes in America's public-school system.
So, in 2001, we opened an east coast office to work directly on public policy issues with government officials and policy organizations. Bill and Melinda - and other key leaders and partners - are also using their voices to bring greater public attention to the problems we are working to solve. The public wants to know about these problems but they also need to know they are solvable, and what role they can play in the solution. Finally, we are also partnering with a range of highly credible organizations and efforts that can ensure a broader message reaches those who want and need to learn more. One example is Strong American Schools (http://www.edin08.org), which supports improving public education in the United States, and the ONE campaign (http://www.onevote08.org), which advocates for making global health and poverty reduction higher foreign policy priorities, to build public and political will to address these critical challenges, but equally important are the local parent and student groups in key school districts advocating for change, the library supporters in any city.
Today advocacy - raising the public and political awareness and will to tackle these issues of inequity - is a key part of each of our efforts - and, based on all our learning and the amazing results we have seen from the powerful combination of a concerned public, one of the core principles at the Foundation that now underscores all our work is that we have "Shared Responsibility".
Question from Tom Brown, Higher Education Consultant:
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program provides a tremendous source of support for students from historically under-represented groups. However, the current eligibility criteria of a 3.3 GPA seems to be relatively conservative. Many of these students would likely receive considerable financial support from colleges, universities and other sources.
As the founder of "The High Potential Program" at Saint Mary's College of California 35 years ago, we discovered that there were a considerable number of students who did not demonstrate their potential for collegiate success through the traditional indicators (e.g., test scores, GPA, curricula). Often this was the case because of what was then called "educational disadvantage"-poor schools, first generation high school graduates, low SES, etc. When we provided these students with academic, cultural, and personal support, many of them achieved at high levels in college, in graduate and professional schools, etc
As the GMS currently seeks to increase the college going rates of Hispanic/Latino males, in particular, have you considered how many more "high potential" students would be included as Scholars if the GPA criterion was adjusted to 3.0?
Patty Stonesifer:
You raise some very good points and your program sounds like a very successful one. We agree that many more students need and deserve support for college or post high school accreditation than are currently served by our scholarship programs - or by today's current student aid programs and support activities. We support a wide range of scholarship programs and there are many others at work in the college access space with a diverse range of selection criteria (and supports). The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program is funded by us, but is managed directly by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). It is, as you note, only one example of a program that helps low-income minority students reach their full potential. Another example we are involved in is the Achievers scholarship program, that uses financial need and less traditional evaluations in the selection process. These and other programs that we support share a mission to provide as many students as possible the opportunity to earn a post-secondary degree, but we realize this is a goal that will take far more players - public and private - and far more supports and improvements - than our own direct activities.
Question from Eve Sullivan, PARENTS FORUM-AE:
What role do you see for parenting services -- parenting education and support -- in social services in general and where and how do you see parents programs most effectively delivered? (I heard Ms. Stonesifer speak at Bentley College recently and wish her all the best in her new endeavors.)
Patty Stonesifer:
Hi Eve and thank you for your well wishes. We know parents are a child's first and most important teacher, and this is especially true in the first years of life. Our direct support for parents is primarily focused on expanding programs in Washington state that deliver services to parents with very young children where we think it can have the most impact over the course of a child's life.
Here in Washington state, we've partnered with several other funders, including a new public-private partnership called Thrive by Five (http://www.thrivebyfivewa.org), to invest in programs that support parents through our early learning initiative. Programming aims to help ensure that all children begin kindergarten ready to learn.
On the national level, we recently joined an effort led by a number of funders and foundations, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, to expand the Nurse Family Partnership (http://www.nursefamilypartnership.org), whose goal is to improve the self-sufficiency of low-income parents. This program serves about 14,000 families now and hopes to ultimately reach more than 100,000 per day by 2017.
As I mentioned in another answer - we also see that supporting student achievement (our top goal in high school and beyond) also means supporting parents. So we continue in our education efforts to assess the most effective ways to balance our focus on school outcomes with the right engagement of student parents.
We are still learners in this area - and will continue to improve our own understanding and efforts.
Question from Nina Menis, Naperville Education Foundation:
What role do you think the Gates Foundation will have in supporting STEM projects in K-12 Public School Districts?
Patty Stonesifer:
While we don't comment on future grant prospects, in the past few years we have funded networks of new STEM high schools in Texas and Ohio. These grants follow earlier investments in school networks like High Tech High and the New Technology Foundation, and individual STEM schools that enroll largely low-income and minority students. Nationally, we also have supported policy changes-with partners like the National Governors Association-that will help develop common state standards and assessments in STEM fields so other new high-quality schools can follow.
Question from Matt Simmons:
What is the most important initiative (in your opinion) the foundation's undertaken since you started?
Patty Stonesifer:
Honestly this is a hard question for me. If forced to pick an initiative I would have to say it would be the effort to develop and deliver the lifesaving vaccines that can (and are) saving millions of childrens lives per year. Our biggest partnership in that area is with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) to deliver today's vaccines - but equally rewarding is the progress being made in the push for an effective malaria vaccine (by MVI), in the push for a more effective TB vaccine (by Aeras) in the resilience and cooperation happening among dozens of research organizations in the challenging but still high priority search for an effective and affordable HIV/Aids vaccines (IAVI, CAVD, and many others).
But I am also very excited by something less tangible that I have been honored to be a part of - in the past 10 years I believe we have, as a country and as engaged citizens, really decided to act against our shared values in some important ways: that the public education system is not serving many of our students well and must be reformed, that we have a role to play in fighting the AIDS epidemic, that we can and must do something about the world food crisis - The Foundation has been able to play a small role in supporting change-agents around the world in addressing these issues - raising awareness but even more importantly - creating solutions. It is important work - and an honor to be involved.
Question from Greg Schuckman, Northern Virginia Community College Board Chair:
Your foundation has done some outstanding work in the area of high school dropout prevention ('Silent Epidemic'). One thing that I am also concerned with is the issue of college readiness. The social and financial costs associated with remediation are much too high and without having students graduate from high school who are college ready, our nation will further suffer the consequences of inadequate preparation. What can -- or does -- the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation hope to accomplish with respect to this critical educational challenge? Thank you.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you Greg. As you note, change at the scale we all want to see (all students served well by our school system- prepared well for college and work) doesn't come overnight. And while we have seen some real progress in many efforts at school reform we all agree that structure and size alone are not enough to drive the full change in student achievement we have set as our goal. In schools of any size, the quality of teaching is obviously of huge importance for student achievement. Teachers clearly matter most. The early data from our experience with small schools and small learning communities shows that well-designed small schools with the good teachers and a rigorous curriculum focused on college readiness work for students. We will continue for years ahead with our work with small schools and small learning communities, and continue to learn and improve our approach as new evidence teaches us more about what works best for students.
Question from Deborah from Uganda National Association of the Deaf:
How can your foundation support the deaf people in poor countries to improve the status of education and other social services? We have many schools for the deaf that need grants to solve pressing needs. Any assistance is welcomed.
Patty Stonesifer:
Unfortunately, even our foundation has finite resources. To ensure we make the greatest impact in addressing some of the world's worst problems, we've decided to focus on three areas improving global health, reducing poverty, and strengthening education in the United States. Within each of those we then have chosen a small set of very specific programs to focus on - and the challenges you note faced by the Deaf community in poor countries is not an area of specific focus. By limiting our efforts to a few major issues where we can build expertise and apply our resources in a focused way, we can have a major impact that will dramatically improve people's lives. The problems we are working on are enormous. But we believe we can help solve them-if we stay focused. I wish you the best in your efforts on this important issue. (In Uganda we are working on several programs supporting small farmers efforts to improve their livelihood - including the Program for African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AAFT), Africa's Seed System (PASS), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Heifer International.
Question from Troy Mullineaux, Virginia Tech:
How do you decide foundation resource management against problems like malaria and the multitude of potential solutions? Do you look at short term or long term potential outcomes more favorably, for example spending to eradicate the disease using scientific discoveries or trying to prevent transmission using mosquito nets and spraying? What about smaller incremental programs versus larger global programs to accomplish the same goals?
Patty Stonesifer:
Troy you have identified a challenge for everyone trying to make change - and it's shared by this Foundation. On malaria as you mentioned - our long term goal is eradication of malaria - but this will require a phasing plan that focuses on near term, medium term and long term global goals. This of course requires many partnerships - first among them Roll Back Malaria (RBM). Some of the sub initiatives of this effort include the development of a safe and affordable malaria vaccines (and real progress is being made here), discovery and development and delivery of more effective malaria drugs and antimalarials, and as you note - delivery of an effective package of control mechanisms - including bed nets, insecticides and other control efforts. Let me add one more of the initiatives we support and others are leading in many ways - raising the visibility - and understanding of the solvability - of malaria and the need and effectiveness of funding for malaria - that includes media work, policy work, and more - and we are proud to be supporting a range of groups working to deliver funding and resources - today - to reduce death and illness from malaria through bednet delivery and other immediate efforts.
Question from Mort Sosna, Cornell University:
There is much talk these days of applying successful business practices to philanthropic efforts. Based on your experiences at the Gates Foundation, what do you see as the benefits and drawbacks of this approach?
Patty Stonesifer:
Great question - I was a cross-over from business to philanthropy - and I had a lot to learn because the challenges facing the nonprofit and philanthropic sector are different than in business. I like the work of Jim Collins and the advice he gives in the little monograph that is a supplement to the Good to Great book on how to be "great" in the nonprofit sector. I find he is right on so many challenges - leadership requires "go with others" in the nonprofit arena - what he calls "legislative leadership" - it requires a relentless focus on mission, on getting the right people engaged internally and externally. Probably the biggest challenge for all of us is measuring results - what did we actually impact with our work vs the impact of others and other factors? We don't have sales figures or other simple measures - and we never will for most of the bigger problems - yet we have a responsibility to use these dollars well which includes understanding our impact. These are all challenges that require a blended approach of great leadership skills - some that come from business and many that have unique application in this arena.
Question from Catherine MacKinnon, University of Toronto:
What key unfunded priorities of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in global health & development can international research universities best address?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks for this question to talk about the important role of our academic institutions. First and foremost - continue to train our next generation with a global perspective on both opportunities and challenges - they are the ones who will lead in research, politics, corporate world soon and their training and understanding is key - but I realize you're particularly interested in the research arenas. In research we have been really happy to see the increased interest in research on the health issues of the developing world as funding has increased - but we need far more and research universities specifically encouraging this area of pursuit will ensure progress at a much more rapid pace. We also hope to see far more partnerships between strong research being done in the northern universities with the scientific and academic communities in the south. Many of these partnerships are already showing great progress in both addressing immediate needs but also building up shared strength and knowledge in the southern institution and we hope to see more of these.
Question from :
Hi Patty, I have just graduated from university and am wondering how to make the decision between working in non-profits versus working in the private sector. Since you have done both, what would you find are the most important considerations?
Patty Stonesifer:
You're asking a question that so many wonder about - how do I not only pick the right employer but balance "doing well" with "doing good"? The truth is you can do both well and good in both sectors - private sector and the nonprofit - the key is to decide your particular passion and particular contribution - what do you care passionately about where you also have something to offer that can really serve a significant purpose? That might be in pharma - it might be in the noprofit health center. This is a challenge that would take the whole hour to work through with you but start by asking yourself these two questions about passion and purpose - and then finding organizations where you think there are real opportunities to put both to greatest use! Good luck...
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
If you've submitted questions for Ms. Stonesifer and haven't received a response, please be patient. We have a large volume of questions -- and she'll attempt to get to as many of them as she can before the hour is up. Thanks.
Question from Shelley Maddex, Carnegie Mellon University:
Good afternoon! When Gates considers funding a project, does the foundation prefer to be a "ground floor" donor, getting a new idea off the ground, or does the foundation prefer to be in second or even third round support?
Patty Stonesifer:
Yes, yes and yes (ground floor, second round, third round). I am not being flip - we have been fortunate to participate in many instances of all three. It depends in part on "readiness" of the issues we identify as most impactful - sometimes (like the Nurse Famly Partnership we recently funded) we are following long traditions of other great leaders like Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and others who funded this partnership for many years and wanted to see it's impact grow so we joined in in a much later round to help it scale up -- we have done so much of our work based on early efforts by others we could help scale up - but in other areas no successful precedent exists so we start with great partners to build a new intermediary or a new project or put out a RFP to find new ideas that could come to the table to address the issue. Thankfully there are a range of approaches that the foundation can use as the issues warrant. In the case for instances of AGRA - the
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
The Gates Foundation has also agreed to respond to unanswered questions after the discussion is complete. We'll add those responses to the transcript of this discussion once they are available.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
Transcripts of all of our previous discussions are free and are archived at http://philanthropy.com/live
Question from Ian Wilhelm, The Chronicle of Philanthropy:
Patty, thanks again for joining in a discussion with us. I know you're probably still considering your options, but I wonder if you have any new clues to what type of grant-making program you hope to oversee at the Gates Foundation in the future.
Will you have an office at the new building and such, or will it be a more informal relationship? Will it be related to the foundation's other programs? Thanks!
Patty Stonesifer:
Ian, it is good to hear from you. I am officially stepping into my new role as Senior Advisor to the trustees (Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett) on September 2 when Jeff Raikes begins as CEO. I'm keeping an office at the Foundation - on both coasts - but moving to a new mode of working. No more detailed plans to share - yet! I am excited about Jeff's leadership and the changes and improvements he will inevitably bring to our efforts - and my first priority is supporting him in this new role.
Question from jacqueline forsythe / A.T. Still University:
In these tough economic times where issues to be addressed all have value and benefit but are often pitted one against the other - how can we effectively garner philanthropic partners and resources to address our cause? What are the essential underpinnings to achieve sustainable support that supplants change of the magnitude (e.g. Flexner social movement to change medical education)?
The Chronicle of Philanthropy article noted that the most influential book you have read is a "dog-eared autobiography of Abraham Flexner that was given to you by Warren Buffett." Flexner was one of the world's most important agents of social change as he worked with foundations such as Rockefeller and Carnegie to bring philanthropic resources to bear on overhauling medical education.
That said - times have changed and systems need to be relevant to address current challenges.
Patty Stonesifer:
Jacqueline I am not an expert in this important issue of how you attract valuable donors - but I realize what you are saying is true and competition for scarce resources is a real issue for all nonprofits. I have found a great deal of cooperation among donors (rather than competition) but when dollars available are not sufficient for the needs tough choices are made by all. What Flexner did was similar to what I have seen many nonprofit leaders do - find a compelling need, identify a bold solution (with the help of many) and then sell his plan to a few early bold funders - once it became clear that he was onto something others followed suit - both universities and donors. I realize on an institution by institution basis the challenges are great - I wish you the best.
Question from Ross Callender, nonprofit library consortium:
Do you see a problem or issues arising with government funding being cut back, being used more for operational expenses and just hanging on and philanthropy taking greater role in innovation, special projects and the "cutting edge"?
Patty Stonesifer:
Hi Ross - this is a balancing act as you know. I believe if philanthropy replaces government roles we are all ill served - we need a strong government - locally, nationally, committed to serving citizen needs. Governments need to be innovators, too, and I've seen plenty of government leaders and teams who are. Think about some of the innovative green initiatives, bold public transportation plans and more. But they do need to serve a huge range of needs so are not as focused on innovation as a core aspect of their work as philanthropy or academia can be. The underlying issue is what is the role for philanthropy - and being an innovator, finding and financing new knowledge or new approaches and supporting the dissemination of same is a key part of how philanthropy can encourage government to improve and keep innovating!
Question from Jim Carter, Consulting firm:
How do you ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your grants?
Patty Stonesifer:
Like others, we use a range of compliance approaches - we have a binding grant agreement that specifies key terms, we have annual reports that grantees file and many of our subsequent payments are based on key milestones/progress. In some cases we have grant audits for very large and very complex grants. But that said, we also find ourselves changing terms with some grants when new knowledge or new activities by other parties changes the appropriateness of certain milestones or activities. We also often rely on third party technical reviews and this often gives both the grantee and the foundation insight about how to improve the plans moving forward. It's important to remember that what we want is maximum impact on the goals!
Question from Dr. Linda Ruth Bass, Ouachita Baptist University:
Would you please give me advice on how private universities might apply for grants through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?
Patty Stonesifer:
On our website homepage (www.gatesfoundation.org) there is a link for "Grantseekers" of all kinds that can help you and others understand what we are funding and how to apply.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
We have only about 15 minutes remaining. If you have a question, please submit it soon.
Question from Karen Payne, University of Georgia:
In the July 24 Chronicle article about your time with the Gates foundation, the author mentioned that the Foundation expects to double the number of employees. What areas of the Foundation will you be looking to increase capacity and how will this affect your target audience world wide?
Patty Stonesifer:
Karen - let me start with the last part of your question. Are ultimate constituents will remain the same with our growth - we focus on addressing big inequities that disproportionately affect the poor. That doesn't change. But with Warren Buffett doubling our giving capacity we have deepened our teams and our strategies to try to go further and a bit faster towards addressing these big issues. We are adding staff across the board in all of our program areas - please do check out our homepage on the www.gatesfoundation.org website - there is a link for About Us/Working With Us that will get you to the current openings but please do keep checking back as we will add more jobs in the months ahead. I am proud of the quality and diversity and passion of our core team - it is a top priority that we need to maintain that as we grow.
Question from Ken Strmiska:
Does the Gates Foundation have any concerns about increased government regulation or oversight of private foundations (pay-outs, effectivness, etc.)?
Patty Stonesifer:
Great question. We think the current rules work pretty well, but we agree with many who think the nonprofit sector and the private foundations can and should increase the understanding of our work and the sharing of our results. We have begun to work on these same issues ourselves - it is an ongoing need to help the public understand what we are doing and learning and changing with the precious resources we have been given.
Question from Dr. Paul Spengler, University of Rochester:
How can one contact a program officer to discuss a proposal concept prior to submission of an unsolicited proposal? Right now, the only way to apply is on-line.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you for this question. As you might imagine, we get many thousands of inquiries each month, so we are unable to have one to one discussions with all those who wish to submit an inquiry. All submitted inquiries will receive a response.
Question from Beverly, small nonprofit:
What do you hope the BMGF can contribute to the community college world?
Patty Stonesifer:
This is great question - we have been committed to seeing all high school students graduate from high school ready for work, college and citizenship - but we have been learning a great deal about what challenges face them as the successful student goes on to college. Community colleges play an incredibly important role for so many students in this country - we don't discuss future grantmaking but suffice it to say we share your belief that community collegues are a key resource for student success.
Question from Janet Poley, ADEC - University of Nebraska:
What type of programming do you see emerging in light of the current food situation?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks Janet for highlighting this very important issue. In the short term the Foundation is providing emergency funding through the World Food Programme to assist in the global call to address food needs in this crisis. We are also working on some mid term solutions to ensure farming supplies and in country agricultural development efforts are addressed to ensure small farmers in hard hit areas can in fact successfully plant and harvest new crops. But ultimately we believe that a long term vision and reinvestment is agriculture development is required from all sectors. We are fortunate to be building on decades of experience with our partners at Rockefeller Foundation and other partners around the world - finding ways to support small scale farmers to increase their crop yields and incomes - and hopefully avert some of the potential for future crisis.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
I'd like to let everyone know that we will continue our live discussion series next Tuesday at noon Eastern time. The topic will be "how to handle a windfall donation." Expert guests include Michael Batchelor of the Erie Community Foundation in Pennsylvania and Joe Evans of the George School in Philadelphia. Both are managing windfall gifts in excess of $100-million.
Question from Ivy Washington, Yale School of Management:
One of your foundation's guiding principles is: "Science and technology have great potential to improve lives around the world." What are some technological advances that you are excited about because of their usefulness for the people you serve, your partner organizations, or the foundation itself?
Patty Stonesifer:
This online session is almost done so I can't list them all -- top of the list if vaccines - and improved drugs - and new ways to deliver these without burdensome packaging and refrigeration et al. But also I am excited about the potential for new improved seeds to support small farmers on arid lands - and here at home about improved ways for language learning and other ways to improve learning.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks Peter to you and all the participants in this discussion. I am sorry my typing speed does not compare with my enthusiasm for answering all the questions - but our team is committed to getting answers to all of those I missed. I learned a lot, too, just by seeing what folks want to know about our efforts - thank you all for participating.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
Our time is up for the live portion of this online discussion. Because of the heavy volume of questions, Ms. Stonesifer has agreed to have key members of the Gates Foundation's staff reply to all of the unanswered questions.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
We will be posting those answers at the end of the transcript of today's discussion once they are available. You can find the transcript (and transcripts of all of our other live discussions) at http://philanthropy.com/live
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
Thanks to Patty Stonesifer, the staff of the Gates Foundation, and everyone who tuned in for today's discussion. I found it to be an interesting chat. I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks again.
Peter Panepento (Moderator):
The following questions were not answered during the live portion of the discussion. Several members of the Gates Foundation staff answered these questions after the conclusion of the discussion. We have added them to the transcript as a service to our readers.
Question from Carole Pfeilsticker, Florida Atlantic University:
The current meltdown in the housing industry has led to many formerly working/middle class families becoming essentially homeless...food banks are being depleted. Is there a way that the Gates Foundation can assist these individuals and agencies at this critical time to prevent further slides into poverty.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks for your question Carole. We think one of the best ways to help families break the poverty cycle here in the US is to invest heavily in improving our nation's education systems, so that more people have the opportunity to pursue careers that meet a family wage. Also in Washington state, we have a dedicated initiative to help break the cycle of family homelessness. We recently completed grantmaking through our Sound Families program (www.soundfamilies.org), a $40 million initiative to triple the amount of supportive housing in the greater Puget Sound region. We've worked with dozens of public and private partners over the past seven years, and about twp-thirds of families went on to obtain permanent housing. We're now studying those results carefully and working with our partners to develop a new set of investments that are aimed more at preventing a family from becoming homeless in the first place.
Question from Eileen Kirsch, Ohio Dominican University:
You have a focus on improving high school education in this country. What have you learned that local school districts can do to make significant changes in their high schools?
Patty Stonesifer:
There are many things school districts can do. School districts can do more to develop strategies that improve student achievement in the classroom by making more effective use of data. High quality teachers and school staff are central to improving student achievement and helping more students prepare for successful futures. Our dedicated teachers, principals, superintendents, and administrators need support to do their jobs well. In many schools and urban districts serving our highest need students, this isn't happening. The foundation is investing in an array of strategies to support teacher and administrator improvement including professional development, leadership academies, issue advocacy and other targeted training.
Question from Maureen Martin, University of Michigan:
The leadership of the Gates Foundation has been vitally important in both global health and education. Thank you for all your hard work launching these important efforts. I have a couple questions about the education arena: how would assess the top strength and top weakness of the small high school movement? (and do small high schools that stand alone outperform multiple small schools inside one large school building?) and, finally, do you think the foundation will launch programs that go deeper down the 'pipeline' such as 3rd grade reading or 5th grade mathematics?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you, Maureen and good question. Our research has shown that creating new small schools can be more effective than transforming existing large high schools. A lot depends on how the school is organized and run. But we have also learned that "small" by itself is not enough. Schools need challenging curriculum and high quality instruction to see dramatic improvements in achievement. We have seen success with small schools; for example, the first class of students to graduate from the new small schools created in 2002 in New York City had graduation rates much higher than the large comprehensive high schools they replaced. They also exceeded the citywide average. Small schools are part of our larger portfolio of work that includes improving the quality of schools, creating a supportive policy landscape, increasing to college through scholarships and building public and political will. We have learned a lot from our work with small schools and small learning communities.
Question from Allen Lind, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education:
The Gates Foundation is involved is numerous programs to help prepare students for college. How do you measure the success of the K-12 programs you fund? Isn't there a lack of good longitudinal data?
Patty Stonesifer:
Good question, Allen. Since many of the initiatives we fund are new, they lack longitudinal data. We are committed to transparency in our work. We constantly evaluate our efforts, share lessons learned, and make the necessary adjustments. Evaluation and assessment of our investments will always be part of our work because we are determined to make sure that our work has the most impact and helps many more students in underserved communities realize their full potential. While we have worked with external researchers in the past to evaluate our programs, we are in the process of strengthening our internal ability to conduct research and evaluation of our investments.
Question from RP, large nonprofit:
Would you take a moment to comment on the Foundation's opinion on community college to 4 year University transfer issues? Thank you.
Patty Stonesifer:
Education has never been a more critical or valuable investment for young people or for our country. As part of the foundation's interest in ensuring young people get to and through college, we have begun to explore strategies that will enable young people an opportunity to earn a degree better, cheaper, and faster. Our focus is on improving support for community college students, removing financial and other barriers that keep them from completing school, and building demand for change.
Question from Molly Sanchez, St. Joseph's Academy, Baton Rouge, LA:
You mentioned work with public schools and education as priorities. What ways does the Gates Foundation support private high schools?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks for asking, Molly. We have provided grants to a number of private schools. We are funding innovative Catholic schools that are part of the Cristo Rey network, private schools that are affiliated with the National Association of Street Schools, and a $2 million investment in the Seattle Girls' School. Our co-chairs have also supported their former high schools including a $40 million investment to the Lakeside School in Seattle, Bill Gates' former high school, for scholarships for low-income students, professional development for teachers, and service learning programs. The foundation also gave $5 million to support science, math, and technology education at Ursuline Academy in Dallas Texas, Melinda Gates' high school, and $2 million to help fund construction of a new French Family Science, Math, and Technology Center.
Question from Mike Stonier, Director of Development:
In the U.S. Education arena, Is the Foundation looking at Pre K - 12, or is there more of a specific focus, on Highschool for instance?
Patty Stonesifer:
Since 2000, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has focused on improving high schools and increasing the high school graduation and college readiness rates, particularly for minority students. Our focus is driven by the belief that within the public education system, high schools have the most acute need for reform and yet are also the most challenging to change. That has been where we have focused the bulk of our education work. We do, however, fund some early learning initiatives in Washington state, such as the Washington Early Childhood Learning Foundation, and we have provided investment support for Gov. Christine Gregoire's Thrive by Five initiative.
Question from Rinda Montgomery Conwell, North Central Education Service District:
Does the foundation perceive itself as a supporter of educational trends, or a leader or developer of the direction of education and new media?
Patty Stonesifer:
Good question, Rinda. Certainly we observe what is working and help effective schools share the lessons they have learned, and develop and expand networks of new schools using proven models. At the same time we work with policymakers and school leaders at the state and local levels to develop and implement effective reforms.
Question from Gerry, education policy consultant:
I am interested in K-12 improvement. Does the foundation have benchmarks in place that will guide its funding in this area for the next 5 years. Are there specific initiatives the foundation hopes to advocate with the next U. S. President and Dept of Education?
Patty Stonesifer:
Gerry, our goal is to increase graduation rates and college readiness for all high school students, especially for low-income and minority students. We will work with public officials and policymakers on efforts to increase academic rigor, create fewer but clearer standards, and support programs designed to encourage potential dropouts to stay in school and achieve at high levels.
Question from Hillary Baker, community college:
Is the Gates Foundation interested in funding math/science academies created as a partnership between a community college and high schools?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks Hillary--great question. We fund many such programs such as Early College High Schools and the Denver School of Science and Technology, as well as the Ohio STEM initiative which will create new math and science schools across the state as part of long term plan to promote increased science and math learning for low income and urban students.
Question from Small Private College:
With the recent grant to Claremont McKenna College, is the foundation opening up a new line of giving to higher education? If yes, who might be eligible to apply in the future?
Patty Stonesifer:
The foundation has given to higher education institutions in the past. We will continue to look for the best partners to advance our work in college readiness.
Question from Small Private College:
With the recent grant to Claremont McKenna College, is the foundation opening up a new line of giving to higher education? If yes, who might be eligible to apply in the future?
Patty Stonesifer:
The foundation has given to higher education institutions in the past. We will continue to look for the best partners to advance our work in college readiness.
Question from Kate Lee, philanthropic consultant:
Patty - with the increased funding of Small Learning Communities, what's the time horizon used by Gates Foundation? Here in Atlanta, we've seen mixed results - and I'm wondering how much success is due to leadership training of the educators, vs. just reducing the size of the school (or in many cases, splitting existing high-schools into 3 or 4 smaller schools within the same physical facility. How is Gates Foundation addressing the leadership issue in schools?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks for your question and your work in this area. Change does not happen overnight, and structure and size alone are not enough. In schools of any size, the quality of teaching is paramount. Teachers clearly matter most. The early data from our experience with small schools and small learning communities shows that well-designed small schools with the good teachers and a rigorous curriculum focused on college readiness work. We will continue our work with small schools and small learning communities, and go where the evaluation data takes us in terms of refining our approach.
Question from Sarah Washburn, public library supporter:
Hi Patty, Even with the enormous support the foundation has provided US libraries, there is still much more work to be done, especially as states like Florida suffer from tax cuts, funding cuts, and the poor economy. Libraries are decreasing hours, laying off folks, and closing down. I know the foundation has begun to offer matching grants to spark sustainability and community involvement, yet there is concern that with such a dearth of support from funding sources other than the foundation, the barriers have risen. How will the foundation continue to support libraries, especially in such tough times?
Patty Stonesifer:
Sarah, you raise a very important question and thank you for your continued efforts in this area! Like many public institutions, libraries are feeling the pinch as state and local budgets decrease. Approximately one-third of public libraries report a decline in revenue from 2000 to 2005. Our Opportunity Online hardware grants, which you mention, require local matching funds so libraries must build relationships and promote their services to get the local funding they need beyond foundation support. We also continue to support libraries through investments in Internet connectivity, research, training, and advocacy. In addition, we have produced a brochure and a DVD to help libraries communicate their value to their respective communities. These materials are available free of charge at www.gatesfoundation.org. We hope the foundation's voice can assist to amplify the importance of public libraries - but we cannot do it alone. Community members, local governments, businesses, and other foundations must work together to ensure libraries are adequately funded.
Question from Rush Brandis, California State Library:
From the perspective of the Gates Foundation, what do you envision as the future of libraries?
Patty Stonesifer:
Bill and Melinda believe deeply in opportunity. When people have the opportunity to thrive, society at large thrives. The public library remains a critical source of opportunity, through books, computers and the Internet, programs, and the trusted library staff that helps people navigate information. We don't see that role changing and, in fact, believe that the public library is just as--if not more--important as it's ever been. We do believe that public libraries should continue to increase the quality and availability of their technology services. We also hope public libraries become more active community partners and help solve community needs. For example, when Patty visited the Los Angeles Public Library, she was impressed by the amount of library resources available for students, including online homework help. This is a great example of how a public library can use evolving technology to meet community needs, in this case, making sure young children get the best education possible.
Question from John Linehan, Northwestern University:
Helping peoples learn how to solve their own problems by building local capacity seems worthwhile. Do you have suggestions/opinions concerning approaches that would prove effective?
Patty Stonesifer:
The foundation alone cannot eradicate malaria, solve the education crisis in our country, or eliminate extreme poverty. We are just one part of the solution. Long-lasting, sustained change depends on all players coming together--government, business, philanthropies, and the public-to support and sustain these solutions. For example, the foundation has invested more than $320 million to help support free computer access in public libraries in the U.S. Our initial investment was intended to be transformative by helping libraries provide technology to their patrons. However, we are dependent on local government investments to make sure public access is available into the future. We have programs that encourage librarians and supporters to work more closely with local government leaders. Our Opportunity Online hardware grant program requires libraries to raise local matching funds, and this requires them to work closely with other funding sources. As a part of this program we are assisting grantee libraries to build their capacity to advocate for their local library through training that is available to them and library advocates in their community.
Question from Carey Cavanaugh, Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce:
First, thank you for your service in helping to address the dire problems of global health and poverty. In disaster relief, we have found that communication and coordination between governments, corporations, NGOs and other philanthropic organizations willing to help is frequently weak (if not non-existent) and risks impeding the delivery of needed assistance and services. Any thoughts, or lessons learned, on how to get them to work more smoothly together?
Patty Stonesifer:
Yes--this is something we have thought a lot about. Communication and coordination are challenging in the aftermath of disasters. We recognize the need to respond quickly and effectively to people whose lives have been affected by disasters. Whenever we support emergency responses, we partner with organizations that have deep experience and strong relationships on the ground--with governments, UN and other relief agencies, and local groups--so that they can move urgently and effectively. Recognizing the specific challenges of coordination, we are also supporting efforts by NGOs to improve ongoing coordination mechanisms between the key humanitarian players in a number of countries.
Question from David Porcaro, University of Georgia:
I know the Gates Foundation has a global libraries project, but what are some of the other ways that the foundation is combining their strengths in technology with education and international development? What do you see is the future of funding for technology and education in economic development?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks for this question, David. Our Global Development Program works to increase opportunities for people in the developing world to overcome hunger and poverty. In some cases--like Global Libraries, which helps provide free public access to the Internet, and training--technology and education combine to offer a powerful solution. And in agricultural development, for example, we support technology that helps farmers get information about the price of their crops through mobile phones, and educational programs that are training the next generation of crop researchers. Ultimately, our approach begins with understanding the needs of the poor, and the most effective ways to help meet them.
Question from Doug Smith, Church World Service:
Having an impact on public health at the grass roots in Africa has emerged as a priority of the Gates Foundation. What is the Foundation's current strategy for community based change in Africa?
Patty Stonesifer:
That's a great question, Doug! We understand that some solutions to global health problems call for community-based action to reach at-risk individuals and overcome cultural barriers. It's also important to consider the meaning of "community" - it can include individuals and groups linked by a common concern - such as commercial sex workers - as well as individuals in defined geographic areas. We encourage locally developed, community-based groups that address our priority health issues to apply for one-time grants to support community health projects that deliver immediate and tangible benefits.
Question from Lisa Schwartz, University of Missouri:
Breakthroughs in Epitomics -- a global analysis of molecules that bind specifically to some target molecule -- may be a necessary step toward the development of an effective malaria vaccine. To what extent will the Gates Foundation consider investing in basic molecular research in its goal of eradicating malaria?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thanks for your thoughts, Lisa. We help support efforts by the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI) to develop an effective malaria vaccine through our Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. SBRI conducts research on the genetic and basic molecular level. We also support malaria research on the molecular and cellular level through Grand Challenges grants to help develop vaccines that don't require needles or refrigeration, investigate which immunological responses provide protective immunity, and develop genetic and chemical strategies to control insect vectors.
Question from Wendy Rosen, American Technion Society:
I represent an international science & engineering university, and are always interested in learning where we can connect with the Foundation in areas other than the eradication of disease like AIDS, Malaria, etc...
Patty Stonesifer:
Science and biotechnology is an integral part of much of our global work. For example, beyond work with infectious diseases, our global health program works extensively in maternal, newborn, and child health, improving nutrition, and in strengthening health systems, among other areas. Our Global Development program works to create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. We support agricultural development, facilitate access to financial services to the poor, and support free access to computers connected to the Internet.
Question from Heidi Gider, Society for Women's Health Research:
I work for a national advocacy organization based in Washington, DC which focuses on biological sex differences. We see this issue as an issue of equity: since sex matters in every aspect of health (cancer, heart disease, STDs, etc.). A number of our supporters have suggested we reach out to Gates but we have, as yet, been unsuccessful. Would Gates support an organization which does not, in fact, provide direct services but advocates for qualitative changes in how research is conducted, and thereby, how health information is conveyed to patients by their doctors. Thank you!
Patty Stonesifer:
Advocacy is an important aspect of advancing philanthropic agendas. Building public and political awareness and support is essential to tackling issues of inequity around the world. The Gates Foundation does extensive advocacy work, including working directly on public policy issues with government officials and policy organizations. To learn more about what we fund and whether your organization's work falls within the foundation's goals, click on the link for "Grantseekers" on our website homepage (www.gatesfoundation.org).
Question from Wendy Rosen, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology:
Our University does more work in the Life Sciences and Computer Sciences (as opposed to eradicating third world disease) . Do you foresee any initiatives coming out of the Gates Foundation to support this type of research?
Patty Stonesifer:
That's a good question, Wendy. Many of our global health efforts focus on advances in the life sciences, especially during the pivotal discovery period, which generates new scientific knowledge and technologies for global health. For example, the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative was designed to engage creative minds from across the breadth of scientific and technology communities to develop solutions to some of the biggest global health challenges in developing countries. We encourage you and your colleagues to think creatively about how your expertise can help contribute to global health solutions.
Question from Marc A. Pitman, Fundraisingcoach.com:
I tweeted this question earlier but I'll ask it here too: I'd love to know how social media tools are impacting the way the Foundation works.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you for this question, Marc. We're starting to see that social media can have a real impact on how people keep informed, organize, and motivate each other to act. These are certainly tools that we, and many of our partners, are exploring in order to enhance how we communicate and solicit feedback. For example, the Global Development Program and its partners support grantees working to help expand access to financial services via mobile phones. Through our agricultural development initiative, farmers will also be able to get crop pricing info using mobile technology. Access to technology can also help people change their lives. That is why we are working through our Global and U.S. Libraries initiatives to provide access to computers and the Internet to the one in six people worldwide who currently don't have it.
Question from Jackie Forsythe, Senior Director Corporate and Foundation Development:
To effectively address social change -- there are two pieces of the equation -- prevention and intervention. Prevention deals with addressing the root cause(s). Intervention can effectively complement quality of life. How do you see the synergy between the two when developing a program that merits funding / investment?
Patty Stonesifer:
You bring up a good point Jackie--one that the foundation is very aware of. Catalyzing social change is one of the overarching goals in many of our global health and development programs. Without social change in certain areas, improvements in health, agricultural development, and financial service opportunities would not be impossible. And we realize that getting there requires both intervention and prevention. Within our Global Health Program, we support a comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS that includes both treatment and prevention. We're proud to support the Global Fund, which finances both treatment and prevention programs, and ACHAP, the comprehensive HIV/AIDS program in Botswana. Unless we focus more on prevention, HIV treatment programs will never be able to meet the need over the long term.
Question from Eden Graber, Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations:
How does the foundation go about the process of evolving its funding priorities?
Patty Stonesifer:
That's a great question. As a foundation, we think it is critical to learn what works and what doesn't and use these lessons to adjust our strategies. Through our extensive travel, on-the-ground experiences, and consultation with partners, grantees, and other experts in the field, our program teams gain a wealth of knowledge and direction to measure the progress of our work and the work of our grantees. Of course, measuring progress and getting feedback is only useful if you're willing to act on the results. Once we've gathered feedback, our leadership decides whether to continue with an existing strategy or to make adjustments. For example, through our Washington State Achievers Program we learned that redesigning a school puts extraordinary demands on principals and teachers. We learned not to overemphasize size and exclude other improvements, such as the quality of classroom teaching. And we found that we can't expect schools to take on ambitious improvement initiatives without engaging everyone in the process-- students, parents, teachers--and without gaining the support of their districts. These lessons have affected how we work with schools and districts throughout the country, including the Achievers program we launched in Washington, D.C., in 2007.
Question from JoAnne Sullivan Woolley, Internews Network:
You have previously mentioned you would be looking to look for a "new category of giving and build something new and different from what the rest of the foundation is doing." Have you gotten any closer to identifying what that may be? You have given past speeches that indicate you truly get the power of information and the media, community, national and international-level, impacting development priorities. Any chance you have looked into the work being done to bolster good journalism and the free-flow of information around the world?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you for your interest, JoAnne. This fall, Patty will work with Jeff Raikes as he joins the foundation and also spend some time with family and friends as she thinks about her next opportunity at the foundation. We place a high priority on our advocacy efforts, which includes engaging journalists to ensure people around the world are able to see the progress that our partners and we are making to help improve global health, reducing extreme poverty, and improving high schools in the United States. In order to help support quality and robust journalism efforts around global health and development, we've provided funds to various journalistic organizations, including your organization, Internews Network, Public Radio International, International Center for Journalism, International Reporting Project, and World Health Organization Journalism Fellowship Program. Mainly, these grants have aimed to increase reporter access to remote areas and to raise awareness and deepen their understanding of issues within the global health and development communities.
Question from MARC OLIBRICE, PRESIDENT; THE OLIBRICE GROUP CORP:
When are sponsorship proposals accepted? As well, where and in what format are the proposals sent?
Patty Stonesifer:
Hi Marc. Information for applying for grants can be found on our Web site www.gatesfoundation.org/ForGrantSeekers/.
Question from Catherine Hand, Erickson School on Aging:
Do you think the Gates Foundation will be open to supporting issues related to the aging population? Most specifically, educational programs geared to rethink what it means to age in our society?
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you for your question and your efforts in this area, Catherine. Rooted in our belief that all people, regardless of their age, income, or geographic location, deserve the chance to live a healthy, productive life, the foundation has supported issues related to the aging population, including grants to the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging, National Council on Aging, and the Lillian Rice Senior Center. In addition, our U.S. Libraries initiative works to ensure libraries throughout the country are equipped with quality technology services and also that there are strategies for encouraging lifelong learning. One of the main goals of the program is to ensure that all people--young and old--have access to the information we take for granted through computers and the Internet.
Question from Wendy Rosen, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology:
What advice can you give those of us who are applying for grants from the Gates Foundation? Some common mistakes, do's and dont's, etc? Thank you.
Patty Stonesifer:
Thank you for your interest, Wendy. Information for grant seekers can be found on our Web site (http://www.gatesfoundation.org/ForGrantSeekers/). Most importantly, please consider our key areas of giving--Global Health, Global Development, and U.S. Program. We feel that by keeping our strategy focused in these three primary areas, we have the best hope to help affect dramatic improvement in people's lives
Question from Allen Lind, Kentucky Virtual Campus:
Is the Gates Foundation interested, now or in the future, in innovative applications of information technology to improve academic productivity at postsecondary institutions?
Patty Stonesifer:
Through our education work — by collaborating with a variety of partners working within a range of schools and organizations — we are focused on helping all students graduate prepared for college, career, and life. Our work to date that is focused on leveraging the power of information technology has been most prominent in our U.S. Libraries initiative.
Our U.S. Libraries initiative helps libraries across the U.S. to ensure that quality technology services are available for people, primarily in low-income communities, who count on them for their only access to computers and the Internet. Millions of people regularly use these services at public libraries to find information about health, jobs, and government services; to communicate with friends and family; and to fulfill lifelong learning goals. Libraries also provide guidance and training for people on how to effectively use technology tools.
As we learn more about potential solutions to ensure all Americans have greater access to information, including the most effective ways to leverage the use of technology, we will share our results with other philanthropies, businesses, educational institutions, community organizations, and governments so that all parts of the society can benefit together.
Question from Sharon Mooers, Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused and Neglected Children:
In the area of your US initiative of poverty and strengthening education both are intertwined. For example the increase number of children is rising and the Foster Care System where children are moved has a poor graduate rate from high school. How do you balance the support of educational programs with the systemic social issues affecting these children?
Patty Stonesifer:
This is a very complex issue. The foundation has chosen to be very focused in its work, and one of the areas we focus on is providing resources to help improve our nation's high schools. Our partners and grantees have made significant strides in this area with the goal of preparing all students, including those in the foster care system, for college, career, and life.
Bill and Melinda believe deeply in opportunity — recognizing that education is the key to unlocking those opportunities that ensure that all young people will be able to thrive throughout life and become contributing members of a vibrant society. They realize that in today's economy, education--particularly some form of post-secondary education — offers the soundest footing for securing a well-paying job, supporting a family, or competing with an increasingly global workforce.
When individuals earn a quality education, our communities and our economy benefit, and people are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty. People with post-secondary educations are more likely to vote, volunteer, and be active participants in their neighborhoods. A better educated workforce also ensures that job-creating growth industries can find the skilled workers they need to prosper.
Question from Julie Reynes, Patient Access Network:
In the US we are experiencing a healthcare crisis with the number of un and under-insured increasing every day. Your Foundation has historically been excellent at filling gaps where industry or governments cannot. Is this an area that you are considering now or in the future?
Patty Stonesifer:
Health care is certainly an important issue — one that poses many challenges. One of our core principles, however, is to focus on a limited set of problems that cause great harm and get too little attention. That's why we focus on improving health and reducing extreme poverty in the developing world and on strengthening education in the United States.
This focus is driven by the belief that within the public education system, high schools have the greatest need for change, but are also the most resistant to change. The foundation is also focused on college access for low-income students. Through programs such as Gates Millennium Scholarships, the Washington State Achievers, and the new D.C. Achievers, thousands of students have become the first in their families to attend college.
Question from Dr. Hayward Derrick Horton, SUNY-Albany:
The Gates Foundation has been a leader in HIV/AIDS funding globally. Does the organization plan to make substantial investments in similar efforts in the United States? Places like Washington, DC have levels as high as many lesser developed countries.
Patty Stonesifer:
Hi Dr. Horton. HIV/AIDS is a devastating epidemic-both in the United States and in the developing world. Countries in Africa and Asia are least equipped to deal with its impact, and that's where we'll continue to focus our efforts. However, we continue to support the search for a vaccine that may benefit all people at risk of HIV infection. In 2006, we made 16 grants, totaling $287 million, to create an international HIV working group focused on accelerating the pace of HIV vaccine development.
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