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 135 reviews)); "Great people all working towards the same mission" ((in 59 reviews)); "Fantastic and smart colleagues" ((in 50 reviews)); "Great benefits and pay." ((in 22 reviews)); "great team to work with." ((in 13 reviews))

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

"Culture is toxic and impractical" ((in 39 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 20 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

63% would recommend to a friend

(561 total reviews)

Mark Suzman

81% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

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

2.0

Apr 25, 2017

Horrible culture and lousy hiring

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits and competitive salary.

Cons

This is not a company that lives by a set of principles. If you ask any employee, what are the principles you think that operate here - most likely answer will be "selfishness" - which is counterintuitive when you look at the mission. Arrogant self-promoters and middle management with no values is the norm here. There is a belief in "rock star" syndrome which deters collaboration and stifles "growth mindset." The place is inundated with political hawks who are there to score points at the expense of the mission. Humility is not appreciated nor rewarded.

Gates Foundation Response

9y

Thank you so much for your posting and your well thought out recommendations to management, several of which are already being implemented or discussed. I'm particularly passionate about how to hire for the culture we aspire to create. Any thoughts here would be appreciated. If there is more you'd like to share, please don't hesitate to reach out to do so. Pam.Yanchik@gatesfoundation.org

1.0

Oct 26, 2017

Bad culture and employees are used, burnt out and discarded.

Senior program officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The BMGF is a place where you can make a difference, but see below for the downsides. Working for the BMGF is very interesting and can be rewarding, but you need to celebrate internally because no one ever says 'thank you' or 'good job'.

Cons

Terrible work environment and culture. The pace and the demands of the job eventually wear you down mentally and physically and many employees end up needing mental health care. Everyone who works on a scientific or technical team is eventually forced out of the organization by their manager or management, usually in a horrible undignified way. Employees are used by the organization until they are burned out and then they are cast adrift. The co-chairs when asked will admit that they aren't looking for long term employees. What matters most to the BMGF is the Gates' family brand.

Gates Foundation Response

8y

Thanks so much for your review. While it is very sad to read your review, I'd like to better understand your perspective since it doesn't reflect the changes that leadership is committed to within the foundation. Please reach out to discuss if possible pam.yanchik@gatesfoundation.org

5.0

Jul 20, 2018

Inspiring place to work

Program officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I'm constantly inspired by the work supported by BMGF, which impacts some of the biggest problems in global health. As a private foundation, they can take controversial stances and innovate in ways you often don't see elsewhere in development. I feel lucky to contribute. Employees are treated very well. The benefits are amazing

Cons

There are the usual office politics, and a lot of credit-seeking driven by individual egos, but I think that is pretty normal in an organization, especially one trying to attract 'the best'. Employees are treated very well, sometimes too well (e.g. business class flights), which is uncomfortable when thinking about the geographies we serve and how that money could be better spent.

Gates Foundation Response

7y

Our ability to take risks that others can't or won't, to think long-term, and ultimately to innovate in solving some of the world's toughest challenges really is what makes the Gates foundation unique. Thanks for sharing your inspiring experience! - chris.ernst@gatesfoundation.org

Viewing 4 - 6 of 561 Reviews

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