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. 62% 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?

62% 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 139 reviews)); "Great people all working towards the same mission" ((in 52 reviews)); "There are so many great colleagues and experiences to learn from." ((in 48 reviews)); "Great benefits and pay." ((in 18 reviews)); "great team to work with." ((in 15 reviews))

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

"Culture is toxic and impractical" ((in 42 reviews)); "Instead, she seems more concerned with promoting her own profile than reforming bad management." ((in 25 reviews)); "You will be the luckiest if you end up in a team that has a great manager." ((in 21 reviews)); "Most of the senior leadership at this (global organization) is white and male" ((in 19 reviews)); "Terrible work/life balance." ((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

62% would recommend to a friend

(561 total reviews)

Mark Suzman

81% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (561 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

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).

Reviews by job title

561 reviews

4.0

Jun 7, 2016

Not living up to its potential.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The mission is powerful, the people are smart and passionate.

Cons

Turf wars and bureaucracy get in the way of good work.

Gates Foundation Response

9y

I'm so sorry that your experience wasn't as positive as we'd all like to see. If you'd like to share more with me or my colleagues, please reach out pam.yanchik@gatesfoundation.org.

5.0

Jan 7, 2016

High-Impact Work

Senior program officer, global health policy/advocacy

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I get to work on incredibly important stuff every day.

Cons

Well known for bureaucratic process and group-think, but getting much better on both fronts.

Gates Foundation Response

9y

Thanks so much for your post. I apologize that I am late to respond as your post just recently showed up in my feed. I share your opinion that processes are getting better as our culture survey this year shows significant improvement.

5.0

Oct 28, 2015

Great place to learn

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing people and mission focused

Cons

Limited upward mobility and role is turning more adminstrative

Viewing 310 - 312 of 561 Reviews

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Jobs at Gates Foundation

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

Senior Strategy Officer, Exemplars in Global Health

Senior Communications Officer, AI Communications (2-year LTE*)

Deputy Director, Ending Infectious Diseases

Deputy Director, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Health Evidence and Learning