The Goodwills of the Gates Foundation: Charitable Funds or Philanthropic Monopoly?

The Gates Foundation stands as the world’s largest private philanthropic organization, wielding substantial influence in global health and management sectors. The organization has distributed more than $7.8 billion in grants and significant funding toward combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in cities ranging from throughout the United States to Africa. Yet, this philanthropic organization isn’t perfect: in fact, the Foundation has faced significant criticism and controversy over its lack of democratic accountability, overconcentration of influence, and high profile departures, including Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett as shareholders. These internal challenges have only intensified questions about its governance and global impact.

As delegates in this committee, you are tasked with safeguarding and preserving the Gates Foundation’s mission and reputation while concurrently finding solutions to pressing current global issues, including addressing public health concerns, education, and poverty alleviation. Whether the issue is world-wide disease prevention or navigating internal divisions within the board, delegates must be able to think efficiently to combat fast-paced crises and uphold the integrity of one of the largest non-governmental actors in the world.

STAFF

Chair:
Deputy Chair:
Crisis Director: