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Gates Foundation

Is this your company?

Nothing good comes easy. - Senior Program Coordinator Gates Foundation Employee Review

4.0
15 Dec 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

At BMGF I worked with some of the most remarkable colleagues - not just intelligent and accomplished, but truly kind and caring folks with unique backgrounds and life experiences to contribute. Benefits are outstanding. Wonderful, consistent learning opportunities and depending on your team, chances to stretch and gain new skills with exciting projects.

Cons

Nothing dominates an organizational culture more than how it defines success. At BMGF, success is working as diligently as possible, as often as possible, and being the smartest person in the room (or at least in your subject area). Its borderline obsessed with how "complicated" and "difficult" its work is, and it sometimes seems like you earn more points for taking apart a problem analytically, than actually figuring out how to have tangible impact The result is a very curious, learning-oriented, but ultimately inward-facing organization that's more afraid to fail than its willing to admit. If you're already working in development, this won't be news to you. But any person should know what you're getting into, and how you want to navigate it - work/life balance will be 100% up to you.

Explore other reviews about Gates Foundation

5.0
24 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Everyone is aligned to the mission. Fantastic benefits.

Cons

These could be pros for some but travel and ambiguity are things to deal with

2.0
12 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Benefits, Resources (IT, budgets, facilities).Employees perks are embarrassingly privileged when you consider the focus of the foundation.

Cons

Poor leadership that favors group think over competency. Very much a case of emperor’s new clothes across the board. Lack of accountability means goals just change and poor leaders remain in place. The waste and lack of fiscal responsibility is embarrassing and perpetuates laziness and a lack of innovation. There is a lot of discussion about culture and creating a supportive work culture but it falls well short. Am overall very, very disappointed in what had the potential to be so impactful but will fall short. If you want to contribute your talents to an organization that is truly invested in making the world a better place, consider other options, I know I am.

2
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