China

Grassley Probes Gates, Ford, Rockefeller Foundations Over Alleged China Grants

Published OCT 30 2025

Story

Above: Bill Gates speaks at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum in New York City on Sept. 24, 2025. Image credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images/Bloomberg Philanthropies

The Facts

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Monday sent letters to three philanthropic organizations — The Gates Foundation, The Ford Foundation and The Rockefeller Brothers Fund — questioning their compliance with tax regulations following reports of grants to Chinese government entities and state-run institutions.
Chuck Grassley on X
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
The Gates Foundation reportedly directed approximately $11.7 million to various Chinese government arms in 2023, plus $2 million to a corporation the Pentagon identified as working with the Chinese military and $6.7 million to state-run universities.
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
The Washington Examiner
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund allegedly donated $7.4 million between April 2020 and Aug. 2024 to organizations connected to the Chinese Communist Party, including the Society of Entrepreneurs of Ecology Foundation, which has assisted with China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
The Washington Times
The Ford Foundation reportedly provided nearly $10 million from Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2024 to Chinese government entities to advance the Belt and Road Initiative, with most funding going to state-run universities tied to the People's Liberation Army.
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
The Des Moines Register
IRS guidance states that direct grants to foreign governments do not serve 501(c)(3) purposes, and organizations must maintain charitable activities that do not directly support or promote foreign government interests to preserve tax-exempt status.
Tax Notes
Benzinga
Grassley requested detailed documentation from all three foundations by Nov. 10, including records of foreign projects and compliance procedures for overseas grants. The Gates and Ford Foundations both issued statements saying they comply with all laws on charitable work and tax-exempt status, while the Rockefeller Brothers Fund has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Office of Senator Chuck Grassley
Investors Hangout
National Review

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Senator Grassley's investigation shines a light on how U.S. foundations like Gates and Ford are fueling the CCP’s rise under the guise of philanthropy. Millions have flowed to Chinese state agencies, PLA-linked universities and Belt and Road projects, expanding Beijing's global reach in places like Africa. Gates-backed programs since the 1990s have also helped China raise its global profile and train future tech and health leaders. This funding strengthens a regime guilty of repression, espionage and economic coercion — undermining U.S. security and the laws meant to keep charities apolitical.

ZeroHedge

Mike Benz on X

U.S. State Department

Narrative B

Major American foundations are conducting vital international health and development work in China that benefits global welfare. The Gates Foundation's $400,000 grant to China National Biotech, for example, supports crucial anti-coronavirus collaboration, while the Ford and Rockefeller foundations have decades of experience fostering international cooperation, democratic values, and innovation to help vulnerable populations worldwide. Fully compliant with U.S. laws, these efforts directly contradict the unfounded allegations made in Senator Grassley’s investigation.

Gates Foundation

Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Ford Foundation

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from left-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.