Pros
The environment at CharityEngine is passionate, friendly, and warm. I'm not sure where all the negative reviews came from at all! Maybe they really changed a lot of things in the past couple of years, but my experience hasn't been negative whatsoever. The management is flexible and friendly, and they make an incredible effort to make sure everyone on the team, no matter how small their role, feels like they are making an impact and feels included in everything happening at the company. I held a junior technical writing role, and I still felt like I was included in the important conversations and that everyone made a very real effort to let me know that my contributions mattered. There is no silent invisible unappreciated role here--everyone knows everyone, and everyone appreciates everyone.
Further, Phil Schmitz is one of the most genuinely warm and approachable CEOs I've ever met. Just because he's busy and works hard does not mean he will brush you off if you ever need to talk to him, and he makes an active effort to show appreciation even to the smallest staff. CEOs are usually going to be tough people, but I cannot believe there are reviews saying that he is verbally abusive! I have never once witnessed this, and I feel like if anything, the people who work here care so genuinely about the customers and the product that if you care less, then yes, you might feel excluded and like things are a little tough. That's the price for how much passion there is here. Employees participate in their clients' events without being asked, and it really does feel like everyone gives 110%--if you don't, you're an outlier. There is no room for slackers, and that's a GOOD thing!
The growth in such a small company is, of course, going to be limited, but they really do try their best to give you opportunities where they can. I as a technical writer was put on multiple projects with proposals and marketing simply because I expressed an interest in it, and they really tried to work with me to help me grow within my position however they could, even if what they could do was a little limited. I couldn't have asked for a better boss to report to, and I couldn't have asked for a better team to work with. The Friday lunches bring everyone together, and we love excuses to bring in cake and go out after work. They provide a lot of free coffee, tea, and workplace snacks.
As far as the product itself goes, it is innovative, smart, powerful, and growing more every day. It was a privilege to get to work with it and know that you get to work on the cusp of something that powers so much good.
The benefits are incredible. I got a very generous vacation accrual rate, and they provide free healthcare for singles. Also, for the others complaining about their pay rate, I can only personally say that my pay was very fair. I gave them a salary range I would be comfortable with, and they paid me the highest end of what I asked for when they didn't have to. If they wanted to skimp out on pay, I was a prime example of being able to, and they chose not to. Their ethics are very strong, and they are putting new effort into growing the company.
I cannot honestly sing their praises enough. I got this job right out of college, and you know, the real world is scary to jump into. I could have easily fallen into a job where the company didn't care, but I got lucky enough to work here. I will always be thankful for my good experience here, and I wish the company so much growth and success. They deserve it!
Cons
There really were none for me. If I had to grasp, I would say that maybe you guys should leave the dog home a little more often--he's smelly and disruptive, albeit very sweet. But he was worth it for the rest of the experience, for sure, and he adds his own little special part to the whole thing.