Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on reducing inequities. Major areas of emphasis include: Global Health, Global Development, and Education. In addition the Foundation invests to help vulnerable children and families in the Pacific Northwest and to provide libraries around the world with free Internet access.

Other Client Projects

FSG has also supported the Gates Foundation in a number of areas:

Global Health: Helped the Foundation to understand the powerful role that the downstream capabilities of branded and generic pharmaceutical providers can play in improving access to medicines for neglected diseases.
Global Health: Developed a common approach to performance measurement among product development partnerships (PDPs) and donors. FSG surfaced and analyzed some 600 individual metrics across more than 60 organizations, including donors, PDPs, and a set of “analogous” organizations comprised of biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, and nonprofits involved in global health.
Global Health: FSG and partners at UCSF developed a detailed model to understand the marginal cost effectiveness of the female condom compared to the male condom, including substitution effects. The model was based on costing data generated through primary research with fourteen female condom programs in developing countries.
US Program: Conducted an in-depth evaluation of the Foundation's investments in public high school district reform in the United States. The project tested the Foundation's theory of action and implementation approach through a quantitative assessment of student achievement and attainment patterns across 50 districts, as well as in-depth case studies of reforms in strategically important cities. Results informed refinements to the Foundation's overall strategy
US Program: As a complement to strategy development that defines “where” to invest, developed a comprehensive Investment Approach (IA) that defines “how” to invest and build grantee capacity across all US program areas. The IA is not a cookie-cutter approach, but rather a set of principles, a common language and framework, and practical tools that empower program staff to make informed investment decisions and better support grantees.
Postsecondary Success: Conducted primary and secondary research into opportunities to increase postsecondary degree/credential attainment among members of a particularly vulnerable population. Interviewed over 60 internal and external stakeholders and developed recommendations for how a potential investment might be structured and implemented.