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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Guiding Principles
The second example comes in a different format, that of “Guiding Principles.”
These principles provide the strategic, philosophical, values-based, and ethi-
cal direction for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 2
Guiding Principles
The 15 principles below reflect the Gates family’s beliefs about the role
of philanthropy and the impact they want this foundation to have. The
principles guide what we do, why we do it, and how we do it.
While many of them are fundamental to the way we operate, we
will remain open to amending them as we grow and learn more about
our work.

Guiding principle 1. This is a family foundation driven by the interests
and passions of the Gates family.
Guiding principle 2. Philanthropy plays an important but limited role.
Guiding principle 3. Science and technology have great potential to
improve lives around the world.
Guiding principle 4. We are funders and shapers—we rely on others to
act and implement.
Guiding principle 5. Our focus is clear—and limited—and prioritizes
some of the most neglected issues.
Guiding principle 6. We identify a specific point of intervention and
apply our efforts against a theory of change.
Guiding principle 7. We take risks, make big bets, and move with
urgency. We are in it for the long haul.
Guiding principle 8. We advocate—vigorously but responsibly—in our
areas of focus.
Guiding principle 9. We must be humble and mindful in our actions
and words. We seek and heed the counsel of outside voices.
Guiding principle 10. We treat our grantees as valued partners, and we
treat the ultimate beneficiaries of our work with respect.
Guiding principle 11. Delivering results with the resources we have been
given is of the utmost importance—and we seek and share informa-
tion about those results.
Guiding principle 12. We demand ethical behavior of ourselves.
Guiding principle 13. We treat each other as valued colleagues.