Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates are discussing changes to the structure of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that would strengthen the organization's governance and increase the independence of its board, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The couple — who announced in early May that they were ending their marriage but would continue to serve as co-chairs and trustees of the foundation — are discussing the possibility of expanding the board to include outside directors, according to people familiar with the matter, with Melinda French Gates pushing for governance changes to ensure the future of the organization. Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman told the Journal that he told employees he and the Gateses are actively discussing possible steps to "strengthen the long-term sustainability and stability of the foundation given the co-chairs' divorce."

The foundation, which had an endowment of $49.9 billion at the end of 2020, currently is controlled by just three trustees: the Gateses, who have given $36.8 billion to the foundation to date, and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, who pledged in 2006 to leave the bulk of his fortune to the foundation and makes donations of Berkshire Hathaway stock to it annually.

"No decisions have been made," said Suzman in a statement. "Bill and Melinda have reaffirmed their commitment to the foundation and continue to work together on behalf of our mission. These discussions are part of their prudent planning for the future."

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