Mark Zuckerberg's Charity Ends DEI Efforts

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Discontinues DEI Programs

Recent reports indicate that Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropic organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), has ceased its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This decision arrives shortly after assurances were given to staff regarding continued support for DEI initiatives, according to The Guardian.

Shift in Funding Priorities

The CZI, established by Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, will discontinue internal DEI programs and cease providing funding for “social advocacy.” This includes grants previously allocated to initiatives focused on racial equity and immigration reform.

Instead, the organization, as communicated in a staff email from COO Marc Malandro, will redirect its grant-making efforts towards “biology and AI.”

Program Cancellations

Several specific DEI programs have been terminated as part of this restructuring. These include the Science Diversity Leadership Awards, which distributed $1.5 million to researchers, and the Diverse Slate Practice.

The Diverse Slate Practice previously required interviews for candidates from diverse backgrounds for all vacant positions within the organization.

Rationale for the Changes

Malandro explained to employees that the decision to eliminate the DEI team was prompted by “the shifting regulatory and legal landscape.”

This move represents a significant departure from previous statements made by CZI leadership.

Reversal of Earlier Commitments

Following Meta’s announcement of its own DEI program eliminations, CZI employees expressed concerns about the potential impact on the organization’s values. Mark Gundacker, head of HR at CZI, previously assured staff in February that Meta’s changes would not affect CZI’s operations.

However, Malandro’s recent email clarifies that the changes are intended to better “align with our focus as a science philanthropy.”