Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropic organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, announced the end of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs as well as its social advocacy efforts, including immigration reform and racial equity grantmaking. This decision comes after Meta, which Zuckerberg also heads, ended its DEI programs last month in order to focus on hiring the most talented individuals. Additionally, Meta lifted restrictions on speech to restore free expression on its platforms. The move was made after recognizing that content moderation practices had gone too far.
In an email to staff, CZI’s chief operating officer Marc Malandro explained that the organization had made the decision to wind down its social advocacy work and focus on science philanthropy. CZI primarily invests its resources into building Biohubs, supporting research teams working to solve complex questions around biology and health. The organization is focused on solving four grand challenges that will give scientists the tools to help cure, prevent, or manage all diseases in the coming decades through various initiatives such as developing an AI-based virtual cell model, imaging systems, and more.
While CZI had previously worked on social advocacy issues such as immigration reform and racial equity grantmaking, they have now discontinued this funding as they continue to focus on science-related initiatives. Malandro mentioned that there are still some multi-year grant commitments that will be honored, although none of these will support political activism. CZI’s increasing focus will be on pushing the frontiers of biology and AI moving forward.
As part of the changes, CZI will no longer have a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility team. The team members have transitioned to new roles and responsibilities, and the organization has also discontinued its Diverse Slate Practice for hiring. CZI will now cast a wide net to source top candidates while always selecting the best candidate for the role. The organization remains dedicated to ensuring that its work serves everyone and that employees feel welcome and supported.
The decision to end DEI programs and social advocacy efforts at CZI and Meta comes amid a shifting regulatory and legal landscape. Both organizations are adjusting their practices to align with the current legal and policy environment while continuing to strive for excellence in their respective fields. This shift in focus towards science philanthropy and a commitment to diversity and inclusion within the organizations themselves demonstrates a dedication to driving impact and achieving success in solving complex challenges facing society.
