Gates Foundation gave away $2.5B in 2010

SEATTLE — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said in its annual report that it gave away about $2.5 billion in 2010, roughly $500 million less than it granted the year before.

Foundation CEO Jeff Raikes says that was because some grants were delayed until 2011 to give the foundation more time to think about its plans, and that this year's grants will be up again as a result.

The data was included in the report released Wednesday. Among other findings, the former Microsoft executive says it's trying to improve communication with the people who get their money to ensure it has the greatest impact possible.

He acknowledges some communications problems could be related to its rapid expansion. The foundation quadrupled its staff to 927 in the past five or six years.