employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Close Up Foundation

Is this your company?

Retrospectively had some pros, but misery at the time - Program Instructor Close Up Foundation Employee Review

1.0
9 Oct 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are a few truly wonderful people who work there, and they can vastly improve the work day. The kids can be great, and the Foundation does have a good mission. Even though the entry level job is completely awful, it's not a bad way to get to DC. Some of the programming is interesting, and hey, at least you aren't sitting behind a desk all day.

Cons

They massively exploit their staff members. I was once asked to wake up at 3 am to start a work day that did not end until midnight that night. Much of this was on my feet, and I was supervising kids throughout. I really don't think that can be legal. Even if it is, it speaks volumes of the foundation that this is something they would require. You will be underpaid and treated as disposable, because you truly are. The year I worked there, about half of the staff failed to complete their contracts, and many disappeared shortly before a shift started. This is not an organization that trains, hires, and cultivates professionals. This is an organization that needs bodies and burns through them. There is NO work life balance. You will never see anyone you care about. You will be too tired to do anything but work.

Explore other reviews about Close Up Foundation

5.0
20 Feb 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Getting to work with students from all over the country and have a hand in shaping them to be more active and informed political citizens Great upward mobility, and lots of room to grow in the organization.

Cons

The pay is rough for living in DC/DMV area Pretty long hours of active work on your feet, often over 45-50 a week

2.0
25 Apr 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You work with many fantastic people who care about education Meals are comped

Cons

Long-hours, 14 hour days are normal Low pay, not at all competitive or comfortable for the DC area Management does not take concerns seriously Company culture demands group-think and does not like new ideas Managers will never tell you how you can improve to get into a higher role and prefer to let you fail Cliquey culture where people will actively undermine you, often people trying to get their friends promoted over proven choices CEO and President are very image-driven and make decisions based on optics, not very competent at running an education non-profit and seem likely to move onto the next gig

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All