Warren Buffet once advised Bill and Melinda Gates to “Don’t just go for safe projects. Take on the really tough problems.”

So, that’s what they did.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on two major initiatives: 1. to improve extreme poverty and declining health in developing countries, and 2. to improve the educational system within the United States.

From the beginning, Bill always had a clear vision for the future. This uncompromising vision mixed with his work ethic, ultra-competitive attitude and nimble management style turned him into one of the wealthiest men in history. When he first started Microsoft, the company’s vision was to put “a computer on every desktop and in every home.” A major hurtle to personal computer ownership was expensive software. Thus sparking the idea for the Windows operating system.

Since 1999, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has changed the lives of many through their charitable initiatives. Their foundation is currently the largest private non-religious charity.

The Giving Pledge

Gates and Warren Buffet both promote “The Giving Pledge,” which encourages fellow billionaires to pledge to give away at least half of their wealth to charity.

* Photo: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

To learn more about the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, click here.