Is Gates Foundation a good company to work for?

Gates Foundation has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on over 699 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months. 63% of employees would recommend working at Gates Foundation to a friend and 70% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Gates Foundation have been left by employees working as Program Assistant , Senior Program Assistant and Associate Program Officer .

Does Gates Foundation pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Gates Foundation employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Gates Foundation. This rating has improved by 5% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Gates Foundation?

63% of Gates Foundation employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Gates Foundation 3.3 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.4 for culture and values and 3.2 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Gates Foundation?

Program Officer (56) , Program Assistant (40) , Senior Program Officer (36) , Deputy Director (20) , Senior Program Assistant (16) , Associate Program Officer (12) , Program Coordinator (11) , Project Manager (9) , Director (7) , Program Manager (7) , Senior Officer (6) , Associate Strategy Officer (5) , Consultant (5) , Intern (5) , Senior Program Coordinator (5)

What are the pros of working at Gates Foundation according to real employee reviews?

"Benefits are great and very comprehensive" ((in 125 reviews)); "Great people all working towards the same mission" ((in 58 reviews)); "There are so many great colleagues and experiences to learn from." ((in 47 reviews)); "Great benefits and pay." ((in 25 reviews)); "Salaries are good for those coming from the non" ((in 14 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Gates Foundation according to real employee reviews?

"Culture is toxic and impractical" ((in 38 reviews)); "Instead, she seems more concerned with promoting her own profile than reforming bad management." ((in 24 reviews)); "You will be the luckiest if you end up in a team that has a great manager." ((in 19 reviews)); "Terrible work/life balance." ((in 16 reviews)); "Most of the senior leadership at this (global organization) is white and male" ((in 15 reviews))

What are employees saying about Gates Foundation layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Gates Foundation layoffs and their outlook for job security at Gates Foundation in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Gates Foundation locations?

Seattle , Washington , New York , Chicago , Ridgewood , North Chicago , Vienna , Phoenix , Omaha , Arlington , San Antonio , Virginia , Los Angeles , Mountain View , Palo Alto , United , Laurel , Jacksonville , Boston , Cambridge , Springfield , South Seattle

Gates Foundation reviews

3.7

63% would recommend to a friend

(561 total reviews)

Mark Suzman

81% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.5

Compensation and benefits

3.5

Diversity & inclusion

3.4

Culture & values

3.3

Work/Life balance

3.2

Career opportunities

2.9

Senior management

Gates Foundation has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 561 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Gates Foundation employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Nonprofit & NGO industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

561 reviews

2.0

Sep 5, 2018

Noble Mission - challenging culture

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The inspirational mission and the strategic vision for development that has a real impact.

Cons

The mission does not translate into a culture that promotes real diversity and gets the best from its employees. Working there feels like a transactional experience for many, and in places it tolerates very poor management.

Gates Foundation Response

7y

No doubt about it, this is an area where most philanthropies need meaningful improvement, and we are no different. Rich demographic and cultural diversity is a lens by which the foundation is considering all leadership succession opportunities, and this will need to be sustained over multiple years. -chris.ernst@gatesfoundation.org

3.0

Nov 22, 2015

Where smart people go to feel stupid...

Senior program officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing bright colleagues, inspiring mission, great benefits, most people in the country will return your calls. Great learning opportunities.

Cons

They hire some of the best and the brightest, but then give them little power to act on it. Unrealistic faith that great strategic planning and technology alone can change the world Too much value placed on to "manage up" -- especially to Bill (that guy in the corner office)

Gates Foundation Response

9y

Thanks o much for your review. It was nice to hear your thoughts on the positive aspects and it's always helpful to hear perspectives of employees based upon their experience. The foundation continues to work hard to be a good partner with grantees and others within the ecosystem.

2.0

Jul 16, 2015

Thought it was a dream job until...

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Incredible benefits, work environment (if you don't mind open concept offices), state of the art technology, serious passion for the mission.

Cons

Ridiculous level of unnecessary internal complexity, politics, and never-ending job justification. Promotes a culture of passive aggressiveness or worse--deliberate back-stabbing behavior. Everyone is hell bent on proving their superior intelligence.

Viewing 28 - 30 of 561 Reviews

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Jobs at Gates Foundation

Associate Communications Officer, Social Media

Senior Communications Officer, Creative Partnerships (Limited Term Role*)

Senior Communications Officer, Brand Experiential Design

Senior Business Systems Analyst, HR & Payroll

Senior Research Scientist, Population Health Modeling (Nutrition and Disease) (*2-year LTE)