Gates Foundation Concludes External Review

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SEATTLE (July 21, 2026) - The Governing Board of the Gates Foundation has approved a series of recommendations based on findings by WilmerHale, the law firm retained to conduct a review of past foundation engagements with Jeffrey Epstein. Earlier this year, the foundation acknowledged that it regretted having any employees interact with Epstein in any way.

Commissioned by CEO Mark Suzman in March 2026, with the support of the foundation's Chair, Bill Gates, and the independent members of the Board, WilmerHale conducted more than 50 interviews with former and current employees and reviewed extensive written materials.

An executive summary of WilmerHale's findings is available here.

The review found no evidence that Epstein was paid by the foundation. It also found no evidence of participation in, or knowledge of, Epstein's ongoing sex trafficking operations or criminal activities.

The review confirmed that the foundation's primary engagement with Epstein from 2011-2014 involved two matters. The first was a proposed donor advised fund (DAF) that would pool contributions from high-net-worth individuals to support global public health. Ultimately, the foundation decided not to continue pursuing the DAF when it became clear that the donors and philanthropic partners he promised would not materialize. 

The second matter involved the International Peace Institute (IPI), a nonprofit Epstein introduced to the Chair. The foundation subsequently provided grant funding to IPI, following internal diligence and review, for polio eradication support.

The Board unanimously approved the following set of actions to strengthen the foundation's governance and internal processes going forward:

• Creating a centralized vetting process for brokers, donor advisors, co-funders, and individuals who facilitate funding partnerships and who are connected to the foundation through the Chair, the Governing Board, or members of the Executive Leadership Team. This will include a framework for foundation engagement with third parties that outlines the manner in which dealings between the foundation and third-party individuals, organizations, businesses, and entities be conducted-including heightened review of proposed foundation meetings that take place at personal residences.
• Creating an escalation process for organizational risks on projects introduced by the Chair, a member of the Governing Board, or members of the Executive Leadership Team. Through this process, the foundation will define relevant organizational and reputational risks for screening and escalation to the CEO, who will then have authority to continue the proposed engagement or consult with the foundation's full Governing Board on a final decision.
• Clarifying roles and scope of authority for personnel who hold dual roles with the foundation and other entities associated with the Chair, including personnel who are seconded to the foundation or jointly employed by the foundation and another entity associated with the Chair.
• Further enhancing policies that address conflicts of interest. The foundation will expand its policies to cover a broader range of actual or potential conflicts of interest that may result in personal gain, including association with third-party brokers.
• Further enhancing policies and training related to the handling of sensitive and/or confidential internal foundation records. While the foundation has existing policies that address accessing and sharing sensitive or confidential records, the foundation will make further enhancements requiring approvals for the disclosure of particularly sensitive or confidential material and strengthen procedures to address any unauthorized disclosure of such material.

"The work we do depends on integrity and earning and maintaining the trust of partners," said Suzman. "That's why we welcome the findings of this external review and are moving forward with Board-approved actions to further strengthen how we vet partners, manage risk and ensure accountability going forward. I appreciate the support of Bill and the independent Board members through this process."

"Completing this review is an important step in providing the clarity that partners, employees, and grantees deserve as well as strengthening our oversight with additional policies going forward," said Bill Gates. "The work the foundation does to save lives and unlock opportunities so people everywhere can lead healthier, more productive lives, is more important than ever. We are committed to ensuring trust and transparency are never compromised."

"The review prompted hard questions and we got straight answers," said Gates Foundation Board Member Tom Tierney. "The trust of employees, partners, and the communities the foundation serves is fundamental to its mission. Now the path ahead is tactical implementation with the same rigor and discipline the foundation applies to its core work."

Previous foundation statements are available at: gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center

About the Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone-especially those with the fewest resources-has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.

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