A U.S. Senate investigation is scrutinizing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside two other major philanthropic organizations, over allegations they funneled millions in tax-exempt funds to entities tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Naturalnews.com reports: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced the probe, citing concerns that these donations may violate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules prohibiting tax-exempt charities from directly supporting foreign governments. The inquiry follows reports that the Gates Foundation alone provided $23 million to CCP-linked institutions, raising questions about transparency and potential misuse of charitable funds for geopolitical influence.
According to tax filings and investigative reports, the Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Ford Foundation collectively directed tens of millions to Chinese state-run universities, government ministries and initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, this is a global infrastructure program critics argue extends Beijing's political leverage.
Grassley's letters, sent to each organization, demand explanations for how such funding aligns with U.S. tax laws, which prohibit 501(c)(3) nonprofits from supporting foreign governments.
The Gates Foundation reportedly allocated $11.7 million in 2023 to CCP?controlled agencies, including China's Ministries of Commerce and Ecology, as well as state?run universities collaborating with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Similarly, the Ford Foundation allegedly granted nearly $10 million to Belt and Road-linked projects, while the Rockefeller Brothers Fund disbursed $7.4 million to CCP-affiliated groups between 2020 and 2024.
In 2014, Gates visited the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a CCP-backed organization, to promote philanthropic collaboration. His foundation has partnered with Chinese institutions on public health initiatives, though critics argue these relationships blur the line between humanitarian aid and political influence.
The Belt and Road Initiative, a centerpiece of China's global strategy, has drawn particular concern. Analysts warn it traps developing nations in debt while advancing Beijing's geopolitical ambitions. Grassley's probe questions whether U.S. tax-exempt funds—ostensibly for charity—are inadvertently supporting this agenda.
Responses and rebuttals
The Ford Foundation defended its grants, stating they align with "fundamental American values" like poverty reduction and international cooperation. "Our funds are used for charitable purposes in alignment with our mission," a spokesperson said.
The Gates Foundation has yet to publicly respond but has previously framed its China funding as supporting global health research.
Grassley, however, remains skeptical.
"To maintain tax-exempt status, an organization's activities must be charitable in nature and may not directly support or promote the interests of a foreign government," he wrote. His letters demand a detailed accounting of the grants by Nov. 10.
The investigation underscores growing bipartisan unease over U.S. nonprofits' financial entanglements with adversarial regimes. If the allegations hold, the case could prompt tighter IRS oversight of foreign donations—and force major philanthropies to reevaluate partnerships with autocratic governments. For now, the probe signals that even the most influential charities are not immune to scrutiny when national security and taxpayer interests are at stake.
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2025/11/senate-probe-targets-gates-foundation.html