Causecast

by KERRI FERNSWORTH FEAZELL, Contributing Writer

Stereotypically, computer geeks don’t get MVP awards. Cloning 86-DOS, launching Windows, and managing the SQL servers just doesn’t leave time for much else. But for Bill Gates, the philanthropy field has proven to be his second game; we agree with our cause community and have crowned him our Cause MVP. In 2008, Gates made the switch from full time Microsoft guru to full time philanthropist. In comparing the two roles, Gates is finding some similarities: “What I’ve found now is that really those same key elements are there. The opportunity for big breakthroughs is absolutely just as great–now it’s vaccines, it’s seeds that have better yield, it’s ways of sharing teaching practices…they will take the same kind of patience that we had for software breakthroughs.”

As Causecast member Lon stated, “Gates isn’t just raising awareness…he’s trying to actually get things done in an immediate sense.” So, what’s Mr. Gates getting done today? Quite simply, a lot. More specifically, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contributes to programs related to Global Health, Poverty & Development, Education & Learning, and—not done yet—Special Projects (Community Grants in the US and Emergency Relief). Operating on the principle that “all lives have equal value,” their mission is clear, compelling, and effective as they focus on some of the most neglected issues such as (to name just a few):

•Diarrhea and Enteric Diseases
•Vaccines
•Financial Services for the Poor
•High Schools (U.S.)

With a sharp focus on Global Health ($1,818,624,000 in grants awarded in 2008), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is aggressively investing their assets for the greater good. In 2008, $2.8 billion (that deserves a capital a “B” and a visual of all those zeros…$2,800,000,000) was distributed by Gates’ philanthropic entities in grants and direct charitable activities. In 2009, giving is planned to increase by 25% (to $3.5 billion).
As a family foundation, Bill, his wife Melinda, and his dad William H. Gates Sr. are not only giving away truckloads of money. They are using their wits that brought the truckloads of money to them in the first place. Of their 15 guiding principles, a few stand out:

•Guiding Principle #7: We take risks, make big bets, and move with urgency. We are in it for the long haul.
•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 #15: We leave room for growth and change.

Thanks to all our Causecastees for your Causecastic feedback in selecting Bill Gates as a Cause MVP! We want to hear more from you—Who else deserves the MVP award? Do you have any other favorite leaders using their success in the business world to enact change in the cause world?

Photo by jurvetson, flickr