On 13 May, 2025 it was reported by Emily Shugerman and Kali Hays in The San Francisco Standard that the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, one of the largest philanthropies in the Bay Area, has suspended funding to nonprofits across California, and the country.
Chan and Zuckerberg founded the initiative in 2015 with the mission of 'advancing human potential and promoting equal opportunity.' It has three core focus areas — science, education, and community. San Mateo County where Meta has its headquarters was a beneficiary with substantial contributions being made to movements for criminal justice reform, housing equity, and educational advancement.
While in recent years there has been an indication that Chan and Zuckerberg would shift CZI's focus toward a 'science-first philanthropy', on 18 February a letter from COO Marc Malandro was posted on its website stating that its social advocacy work had been wound down entirely and funding was discontinued. From its mission statement it has removed 'build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone', as well as mentions of 'improving education' and 'addressing the needs of our local communities.'
https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/13/nonprofits-furious-chan-zuckerberg-initiative-slashes-funding/
It is claimed that the organisation's strategy is 'driven by our science vision to cure, prevent, and manage all disease by the end of this century.' 'Except, perhaps, the disease of bigotry,' suggested Laura Newcombe, 13 May 2025, Gizmodo, Tech News.
Omoleye Omorvyi (Technext, 16 January 2025) in How Mark Zuckerberg transitioned from a revolutionary to pragmatist in 17 years, suggests that Zuckerberg came to an understanding that 'idealism without power is fragile' and that there has to be learning when to align with power and when to resist it. Furthermore, that 'to remain relevant, one must constantly evolve even if it means sacrificing parts of the vision that sparked the journey in the first place.'
https://technext24.com/2025/01/16/mark-zuckerberg-chameleon-of-tech/
