The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), a philanthropic organization founded by Meta (NASDAQ:META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, is undergoing a significant restructuring. The organization has decided to discontinue its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and reduce its focus on social advocacy. CZI has redirected its efforts toward scientific research and artificial intelligence, aligning with broader shifts in Zuckerberg’s business priorities. This move follows similar reductions at Meta, where DEI initiatives and fact-checking programs have been scaled back.
When CZI was established in 2015, it had a broad philanthropic mission, including funding initiatives related to racial equity and immigration reform. Over the years, it provided substantial grants to support social advocacy, including a $500 million commitment to racial equity organizations announced in 2020. However, its recent focus has shifted entirely toward science, particularly in areas such as cellular biology, disease prevention, and artificial intelligence applications in medicine. This change mirrors previous adjustments in its funding strategy, where it gradually reduced support for political activism and community-focused projects.
Why is CZI ending its DEI programs?
The decision to eliminate DEI initiatives stems from CZI’s reassessment of its priorities as a science-based philanthropy. Chief Operating Officer Marc Malandro stated in an internal email that the organization is reviewing its programs to ensure they align with both its scientific mission and the current legal and policy environment. He explained that, as part of this transition, CZI’s DEI and accessibility team will be dissolved, with its members shifting to different roles.
“As we’ve focused on science, we’ve wound down our social advocacy funding,” Malandro informed CZI employees. “There are a small number of multiyear grant commitments we made previously that we still honor, but none of these will support political activism.”
What does this mean for CZI’s hiring practices?
CZI has also ended its Diverse Slate Approach, a hiring strategy that aimed to ensure candidates from underrepresented backgrounds were considered for positions. Malandro confirmed that while the initiative will no longer follow this structured approach, it will continue seeking a broad pool of candidates and selecting individuals based on merit.
“We will continue to cast a wide net to source top candidates while always selecting the best candidate for the role,” Malandro noted.
Beyond internal hiring changes, CZI is also shifting away from broader social and political funding commitments. The organization previously assured staff in early 2025 that it remained independent from Meta’s decisions regarding DEI rollbacks. However, the restructuring at CZI now closely mirrors similar moves at Meta, including the company’s recent decision to dismantle its own DEI team and supplier diversity programs.
The shift to a science-focused philanthropy underscores a broader trend of high-profile organizations adjusting their strategies in response to evolving legal and political landscapes. With artificial intelligence and biotechnology emerging as priority areas, CZI is repositioning itself to contribute primarily to medical and technological advancements. This approach signals a departure from its earlier commitments to social justice-related causes, which had been a defining part of its mission when it was founded.
As CZI moves forward with its new focus, its impact will likely be measured by advancements in fields such as disease research and AI-driven healthcare solutions. While it continues to fund some multiyear commitments, the absence of new social advocacy initiatives indicates a fundamental change in its long-term philanthropic approach. This transition reflects broader industry trends where corporations and philanthropic entities are reassessing their engagement with DEI and social advocacy amidst shifting political and regulatory dynamics.
