Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Ends DEI Programs and Immigration Reform Efforts
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the philanthropic organization founded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, announced Tuesday that it is shutting down its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as its work on immigration reform.
In an email to staff, CZI Chief Operating Officer Marc Malandro cited the “shifting regulatory and legal landscape” as the reason for eliminating its DEI and accessibility team. The three team members have been reassigned to other roles, and the organization has also ended its “Diverse Slate Practice.”
Malandro explained that CZI has been reevaluating its programs to ensure alignment with its core mission as a science-focused philanthropy. In recent years, the organization has been moving away from social advocacy and redirecting its resources toward scientific research.
As part of this shift, CZI has also discontinued its racial equity grantmaking and immigration reform efforts. While the organization will fulfill a few remaining multi-year grant commitments, Malandro clarified that none of them will support political activism. Moving forward, CZI will concentrate on advancing biology and artificial intelligence research.
A New Focus on Scientific Innovation
Founded in 2015 to address challenges in science, education, and community development, CZI is now prioritizing four major scientific initiatives:
- Developing an AI-powered virtual cell model
- Creating advanced imaging systems for living cells
- Researching inflammation through tissue instrumentation
- Engineering immune system technologies for early disease detection, prevention, and treatment
Broader Trends in DEI Rollbacks
CZI’s decision follows Meta’s recent cuts to its DEI programs, reflecting a broader trend of corporations scaling back diversity initiatives. Since President Trump took office last month, DEI policies have become a political flashpoint. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to eliminate “illegal preferences and discrimination” and urging private-sector companies to do the same.
In response, multiple federal agencies have removed DEI-related positions, and major companies—including Target, McDonald’s, and Walmart—have scaled back or ended their DEI programs.
CZI’s pivot signals a significant departure from its previous social advocacy efforts as it narrows its focus to scientific research and technological innovation.
