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Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.2B
Grant Range
$200K - $4.0M

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Over $7.22 billion committed since 2015
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $200,000 - $4,000,000+ (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: National/International (Science & Education); Local (Community Fund - San Mateo County, CA)

Contact Details

Website: https://chanzuckerberg.com
Application Portal: https://apply.chanzuckerberg.com
Location: Palo Alto, CA

Overview

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation was launched in December 2015 by Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook/Meta CEO) and Dr. Priscilla Chan (pediatrician) with the goal of giving away 99% of their Facebook shares over their lifetimes. As of early 2025, CZI has committed over $7.22 billion in grants and made nearly $300 million in venture investments. By the end of 2024, CZI had awarded approximately 5,065 grants. CZI operates as a new kind of philanthropic organization that combines engineering, grantmaking, impact investing, policy, and advocacy work. The organization intends to devote at least $10 billion to scientific research over the next decade.

In 2025, CZI announced a significant strategic shift toward becoming a "science-first philanthropy," focusing primarily on artificial intelligence in K-12 education and biomedicine, while also supporting housing, opportunity, and community development in California, particularly the Bay Area. This represented a departure from previous commitments to K-12 education reform, climate change, and social justice initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Science Research Grants

  • Exploratory Cell Networks: $3,000,000 - $4,000,000 per multiyear grant
  • Essential Open Source Software for Science (EOSS): $40 million pledged over 3 years
  • Rare As One Network: Grants supporting rare disease research (e.g., $1,000,000 for patient-partnered collaborations)
  • Deep Tissue Imaging: Grants for biomedical engineering research
  • Human Cell Atlas: Supporting cellular biology research with ancestrally diverse tissue samples
  • Applications via Request for Applications (RFAs) on rolling or fixed deadlines

Education Grants

  • Personalized Learning: Supporting K-12 schools, tools, and teacher/student experiences
  • Teacher Support: Grants of $500,000 - $1,000,000+ for professional learning, mentoring, and wellness
  • Focus on AI in K-12 education
  • Recent examples: FuelED, The Teacher Well, Profound Gentlemen ($1 million each)
  • Applications typically via targeted RFAs

Community Fund (San Mateo County, CA)

  • Grant Size: Up to $200,000 (two-year grants)
  • Focus Areas: Housing, healthcare, education, job/career skills, social supports
  • Application Method: Annual cycle with fixed deadlines (typically opens in May)
  • Recent Funding: $6-7 million annually to 45-75 organizations
  • Unrestricted or project grants available

Large Institutional Grants

  • Major university partnerships ($12+ million)
  • Bay Area affordable housing initiatives ($500+ million fund)

Priority Areas

Science

  • Basic biomedical research aimed at curing, preventing, or managing all diseases by the end of the century
  • Single-cell biology and Human Cell Atlas development
  • Rare neurodegenerative and neurological disorders
  • Open-source scientific software development
  • Deep tissue imaging technologies

Education

  • Artificial intelligence applications in K-12 education
  • Personalized learning approaches
  • Teacher retention and professional development
  • Student wellness programs

Community (Bay Area Focus)

  • Access to affordable housing and homelessness solutions
  • Healthcare access
  • Education access and quality
  • Job training and career skills development
  • Immigration support
  • Transportation
  • Workforce development

What They Don't Fund

As of 2025, CZI has explicitly discontinued funding for:

  • Social advocacy work
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs
  • Racial justice initiatives
  • Climate change programs (previously funded but discontinued)

CZI made a significant policy shift in early 2025, informing nonprofits focusing on racial justice and social advocacy that they would be disqualified from future funding. Programs associated with DEI, including many San Mateo County partners, were notified their funding would not continue.

Governance and Leadership

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is co-founded and led by:

  • Mark Zuckerberg - Co-Founder (CEO of Meta/Facebook)
  • Dr. Priscilla Chan - Co-Founder (Pediatrician and Philanthropist)

CZI is composed of four funding entities:

  1. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, LLC (primary operating entity)
  2. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation (501(c)(3) private foundation)
  3. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) at Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  4. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy (501(c)(4) organization)

The LLC structure provides greater flexibility in funding approaches compared to traditional foundations, including the ability to make grants, investments, and engage in advocacy, though it also means fewer transparency requirements than a charitable trust.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CZI uses a variety of funding mechanisms, including:

1. Request for Applications (RFAs)

  • CZI posts open competitions for specific issue areas and programs
  • Each RFA includes detailed information about the opportunity, project requirements, eligibility, and application process
  • Applications submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply portal: https://apply.chanzuckerberg.com
  • Applicants must create an account and verify through auto-email
  • Browser Requirement: Google Chrome recommended for best performance
  • Applicants should familiarize themselves with the portal well in advance of deadlines

2. Targeted Grantmaking

  • Some grants awarded through invitation or trustee discretion
  • Particularly common for large institutional partnerships and science collaborations

Application Portal Requirements:

  • Complete applications required before submission
  • Each RFA has specific page limits (e.g., Community Fund project descriptions limited to 3 pages maximum)
  • Applications exceeding specified limits will not be accepted
  • Prospective applicants should regularly review the RFA page for updates

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program and are specified in each RFA. CZI does not publish a universal decision timeframe across all programs. Timelines are communicated within individual grant opportunity announcements.

Success Rates

CZI does not publicly disclose success rates or acceptance percentages for their grant programs. However, competition is described as intense, particularly given the organization's high profile and substantial funding amounts.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed in general terms. Individual RFA guidelines may contain information about reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. For program-specific reapplication policies, applicants should consult the relevant RFA documentation or contact CZI directly through the application portal.

Application Success Factors

Based on CZI's stated priorities and successful grant examples, key factors for competitive applications include:

1. Data-Driven Approach CZI is described as "deeply data- and results-oriented; they want proof of real-world impact." Successful applications must demonstrate evidence-based approaches and measurable outcomes.

2. Use of Local Data and Clear Need Per CZI guidance, applicants should "be explicit about who is affected and why your project matters now." Use specific local data to establish need and relevance.

3. Partnership Strength CZI values "collaborative, community-rooted solutions." Demonstrate strong partnerships and collaborative approaches, particularly for community-focused work.

4. Quantifiable Impact Define clear goals including: number of sessions provided, communities served, lives improved, and specific metrics for measuring success. Successful applicants quantify their anticipated impact.

5. Access and Inclusion Address equity by offering "linguistically and culturally responsive programming." Show how the project will reach underserved populations and promote inclusive access.

6. Open Science Principles (for Science Grants) Science applicants should demonstrate commitment to open data sharing, collaborative research, and contribution to public scientific knowledge.

7. Technology and Innovation Focus Given CZI's 2025 pivot to a "science-first philanthropy" with emphasis on AI applications, proposals that incorporate innovative technology, particularly AI in education or biomedicine, may be more competitive.

8. Alignment with Current Priorities Post-2025, ensure proposals align with CZI's refined focus on science, AI in education, and Bay Area community development. Avoid proposals related to DEI, social advocacy, or climate change, as these are no longer funded.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Major funding capacity: With over $7.22 billion committed since 2015 and plans for $10 billion in science funding over the next decade, CZI offers substantial grant opportunities across multiple sectors
  • Strategic shift in 2025: CZI has pivoted to "science-first philanthropy" and discontinued DEI, social advocacy, and climate funding—ensure your proposal aligns with current priorities (science, AI in education, Bay Area community development)
  • Data and results orientation: CZI prioritizes measurable impact and evidence-based approaches; applications must include quantifiable goals and proven methodologies
  • Multiple funding mechanisms: Both open RFAs and targeted grantmaking exist; regularly monitor https://apply.chanzuckerberg.com for new opportunities
  • Geographic considerations: Community grants focus on San Mateo County, CA (up to $200,000), while science and education grants are national/international (typically $500,000 - $4,000,000+)
  • Competition is intense: Success rates not disclosed but competition described as high; strong applications require clear differentiation, proven impact, and alignment with CZI's specific mission areas
  • LLC structure offers flexibility: CZI can deploy grants, investments, and advocacy—consider how your organization might benefit from this multi-faceted approach

References

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