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Gates Foundation

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Gates Foundation reviews

3.7

63% would recommend to a friend

(561 total reviews)
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Mark Suzman

81% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

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
Mar 31, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It's satisfying to work for an organization that is actively trying to make the world a better place, rather than trying to increase shareholder profits. I have a supportive manager who encourages growth and stretch goals. After being here several years, I feel a sense of camaraderie with my team and believe that we are making a difference with our work.

Cons

Some employees have a strong sense of entitlement and are demanding of and demeaning to other staff. A few managers appear to have been promoted for their technical skills without having any real people-management skills, which has led to team dysfunction and job dissatisfaction. However, senior management is aware of this and have implemented a robust management skills training curriculum. It helps to know that the top leaders are listening and willing to make positive changes.

2.0
Mar 27, 2011

No room for growth

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Exposure to many organizations and global connections - Generous benefits and perks - Great connections within the organization (depending on the team) and with partners

Cons

- No room to move up in the organization - hierarchical and male dominated - Misappropriation of employees skills, knowledge and formal education - many people have at least a master's degree, including assistants and the operations staff - Heavy use of contract workers, with no support and lack of human resource management - Lack of clear communication between teams and high school pettiness at the admin level - Lack of connection to the local community, no transparency or visibility in the surrounding neighborhood - Lack of professional development outside of the organization

4.0
Mar 10, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Generous benefits (insurance, matching for retirement, up to date technology items, free snacks/sodas, etc.), generally an overall positive team environment, individuals who are focused not only on their own professional improvements, but also overall team improvements. As the foundation grows in size, there are gradual improvements to process which yes take time to implement, but are done so with careful consideration (albeit sometimes over democratic rationale) of input. I am a 4+ year veteran of the foundation and I still love coming to work 95% of the time.

Cons

At times can be difficult to communicate effectively with other teams. What I don't understand are some of the budgeting decisions made as this organization operates under the idea that there is a limitation to funds yet the co-chairs spend literally crazy amounts of funds to build a new campus. There are still general feelings of unfairness between programs and operations units - the program areas definitely get preferential treatment. Programs and operations are held to differing standards of ROI, expenditures, employee performance and behaviors. More could be done from the foundation's leadership team to finally once and for all truly try to change perspectives and behaviors between the programs and operations. There are still pockets of individuals who choose to push their hierarchy/title upon others.

Viewing 541 - 543 of 561 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.