The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 20%, cutting up to 500 positions by 2030, according to a memo from CEO Mark Suzman.

The philanthropic organization, which employs roughly 2,500 people globally, cited the need for strategic restructuring as it evaluates its operations and priorities. The staff reductions represent one of the most significant workforce adjustments in the foundation's history.

Concurrently, the foundation has launched an internal review examining its past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The review comes amid ongoing scrutiny of various institutions and individuals who had professional or social relationships with Epstein before his 2019 death in federal custody.

Bill Gates previously acknowledged meeting with Epstein on multiple occasions, stating the interactions were focused on philanthropy. Gates has expressed regret about those meetings, calling them a "huge mistake" in past interviews.

The Gates Foundation, established in 2000, is one of the world's largest private philanthropic organizations, with an endowment exceeding $70 billion. The foundation focuses on global health, poverty alleviation, and education initiatives worldwide.

Suzman's memo did not specify which departments or regions would be most affected by the planned workforce reduction, nor did it provide a timeline for completing the Epstein review.