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      Gates Foundation

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      Gates Foundation reviews

      3.7

      63% would recommend to a friend

      (561 total reviews)
      avatar

      Mark Suzman

      81% approve of CEO

      70% positive business outlook

      Ratings by demographic groups

      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 6, 2018

      Great place to work, but not a place where everyone will thrive

      Program officer
      Recommend
      CEO approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      1. Opportunity to play a part in addressing some of the biggest, most important challenges of our time 2. You'll get professional opportunities here you won't get anywhere else (e.g. who you get to work with, events you get to participate in, speakers that come to the foundation) 3. Unparalleled benefits 4. Beautiful workspace 5. Very flexible working schedule

      Cons

      You're experience will vary widely team-by-team, but basically: 1. The foundation has yet to create a culture and work environment where people of different backgrounds can thrive. Right now, it favors workaholic types with American communication styles (e.g. speaking in bullets, very direct) 2. Pretty much constant change--the decision-making process for which is not always transparent or fair. 3. While the CEO and executive leadership team are trying to address this, managers are generally pretty weak. Don't expect a lot of time or support in terms of mentorship or support to grow your career. 4. Because there are few open positions, it can be hard to "move up"--especially from PO to SPO and SPO to DD.

      avatar
      Gates Foundation Response
      8y
      In reading your thoughtful comments, my sense is that there's near universal agreement amongst all of us at BMGF on these "pros".... as well as wide agreement these "cons" can be improved upon, with continued genuine commitment, to make an even better foundation. -chris.ernst@gatesfoundation.org
      2.0
      Jul 20, 2015

      A good notch on the resume, but not a place that rewards hard work.

      Anonymous employee
      Recommend
      CEO approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      3:1 matching gift program. Outstanding benefits. Passionate and engaged workforce. Access to amazing talks with Bill, Melinda, Warren and other guests.

      Cons

      Cold and distant leadership team. Limited career growth potential. No recognition for work well done. Leadership looks externally for hiring without considering internal candidates, which gives the foundation a cliquish feel under Sue's new leadership.

      3.0
      Jun 21, 2015

      Prepare for bureaucracy if you work here.

      Senior analyst
      Recommend
      CEO approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Benefits package is outstanding. Some genuinely nice people. The belief that what you are doing is truly helping to save the world. Beautiful offices and landscaping. Onsite fitness gym and food (food is not free).

      Cons

      Continual hiring of individuals only for their field/specialty talent results in individuals in key roles who have no experience or interest with people management, career development, technology, or communication skills beyond the grantees. The framework (of how teams report upwards) and executive leadership continues to operate in a clunky old-boys club fashion. Considering how dismal morale is across the entire company, I and many others believe that change is currently underway; however, the change is being done in such a mean, rapid, and secretive state that many current employees such as myself are meant to feel like pawns. The family feeling that once existed as vanished and there is no hope of it coming back. Bill and Melinda have not been present.

      Viewing 31 - 33 of 561 Reviews
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      ReviewsGates Foundation reviews

      Glassdoor has 699 Gates Foundation reviews submitted anonymously by Gates Foundation employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Gates Foundation is right for you.