Ground broken for Gates Foundation HQ

Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 04:55:26 pm CDT

This is a model of the new $500 million headquarters for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shown on display Tuesday at the groundbreaking for the charity organization's headquarters in Seattle. The Gates Foundation, started by Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and his wife Melina Gates in 2000, is using its $37.3 billion endowment to fight diseases like AIDS and malaria, and to support numerous other causes throughout the world. Ashland native Jeff Raikes, who is retiring as president of Microsoft’s business division, will take over as executive director of the foundation in September.

Omaha investor Warren Buffett intends to give most of his fortune to the foundation.