The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ( or CZI ) has been restfully suspending grants to nonprofits across California and the land , peculiarly those that might be construed as ruminate supporting for variety , fairness , and inclusion efforts . While CZI claims that it has long plan to move its focus by from social issues and towards the skill , current and former employee had a dissimilar story to tell theSan Francisco Standard .
In 2015 , then - Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife , Dr. Priscilla Chan , make CZI . The couple pledged to donate 99 % of their Meta ( then Facebook ) shares to the governing body , which currently implies a sum of nearly $ 100 billion . CZI says it has broadcast almost $ 7B in Ulysses Simpson Grant over the trend of its 10 - year story . The organization , whose establish delegation was to “ make a more inclusive , just , and sizeable future for everyone , ” has also given millions of dollars to nonprofits in San Mateo County , where Meta is headquartered .
In recent months , however , many of those grants have been suspend . The Standard spoke with Juan Hernandez , the CEO of Creser Capital Fund , which allow for loanword to Hispanic entrepreneurs , who learned last month that his CZI Duncan James Corrow Grant would not be reincarnate . And just last hebdomad , The Mercury Newsreported that CZI cut fundingfor local homelessness and affordable trapping group .
Mark Zuckerberg surfs while holding a beer and American flag on July 4th.© Screenshot of Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram.
The cutting do in the wake of CZI ’s warning to employee in February that the organization would be winding down its DEI employment , both internally and externally . Ina substance posted to its site , CZI ’s COO Marc Malandro seemed to speak out of both sides of his mouth , saying that while CZI was still committed to “ ensuring our work service everyone ” and to “ building a hands that reflects a broad chain of mountains of experience , idea , and feeling , ” the organization would be shifting its focus away from political and societal advocacy ( where it had worked on in-migration reform and racial equality ) ; eliminating its Diversity , Equity , Inclusion and Accessibility team ( “ consecrate the reposition regulative and legal landscape painting ” ) ; and lay off its “ Diverse Slate ” hiring practice , which aim to ensure that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds were look at for roles .
The Standard speak with current and former CZI employee about the late changes at the organization , two of which described an national meeting that let in remarks from General Counsel Mark Kim . According to the Standard ’s coverage , Kim explain that the organization is a “ political target ” because of its billionaire Colorado - founders ( at least one of whom has done his very best tomakefriendswiththeTrumpadministration ) and is simply hoping to avoid judicial proceeding .
In response to the Standard ’s reporting , a CZI spokesperson pushed back on the thought that the changes stemmed solely from CZI ’s desire to stave off being sued , enjoin that the governing body ’s scheme is “ driven by our science vision to cure , prevent , and manage all disease by the end of this 100 . ” Except , perhaps , the disease of bigotry ? Anyway .
Additionally , CZI voice ensure the Standard that it continue attached to serving the local community , partly through its Community Fund , which has allow for $ 35 million in the last eight age to fund “ local organizations doing essential oeuvre throughout San Mateo County . ” However , one former grantee told the Standard that she was inform by CZI that she was on the spur of the moment “ no longer eligible ” to apply for a grant from the fund . Adriana Ayala , who guide the Chicana Latina Foundation , says she was told by a CZI program policeman that it was because of her foundation ’s focus on a targeted population ( namely , Latinas ) . “ In this political climate , targeted populations are frown upon , or they ’re seen as DEI , ” Ayala recite the Standard .
The changes at CZI come just months after Zuckerberg ’s Meta herald that it was ending its fact - checking program on social media and winding down its internal DEI efforts , admit the “ Diverse Slate ” practices it portion out with CZI .
The Guardianreported thatthe changes at Meta make angst at CZI , with employee involve in a Slack group for managers and executive if CZI“would ‘ reaffirm ’ the organization ’s values . ” At the time , Mark Gundacker , CZI ’s Head of People , tell employees that CZI ’s policies and governance remain entirely separate from Meta ’s , and that “ Meta ’s change to its DEI efforts does not touch ours . ” He retell this point , order , “ If employees have questions , please reaffirm this for them and we ’ll retain to do the same whenever the interrogative comes up . ”
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