The Gates Foundation, officially known as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a private philanthropic organization founded in 2000 by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. Its mission is to enhance healthcare, reduce poverty, and expand educational opportunities globally. The foundation focuses on various areas, including infectious diseases, agricultural development, and access to information technology. With an endowment of over $50 billion, the Gates Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in the world. It collaborates with governments, non-profits, and other organizations to implement effective solutions and improve lives, particularly in low-income countries.