CZI | How We Support Our Community

We work to build an equitable, inclusive, and just California full of opportunity, where everyone and every community has the power to shape their future.

Aerial view of a cityscape with houses and trees, showcasing the urban landscape and natural surroundings.
February 9, 2019 | CZI supports efforts to produce, preserve, and protect more affordable housing in California. | Photograph by Kristopher Shinn via iStock by Getty Images
February 9, 2019 | CZI supports efforts to produce, preserve, and protect more affordable housing in California. | Photograph by Kristopher Shinn via iStock by Getty Images

Key Community Programs

Housing Affordability

By preserving, protecting, and producing more affordable housing for all, we can help build healthier, more diverse communities.

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Economic Inclusion

Funding for organizations that support women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander-led businesses.

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San Mateo County

Place-based work that supports San Mateo County nonprofits to meet the needs of our local community.

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Community Space

Meeting and event space for community organizations to use free of charge.

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The Bay Area is such a special place, but it’s also facing big challenges. The future of our community depends on our ability to ensure that everyone can live, work, and succeed here.

Priscilla Chan
Large group of people poses in front of a wall with two large screens.
December 15, 2022 I San Mateo County community leaders pictured with CZI staff in the Community Space. I Photography by CZI
December 15, 2022 I San Mateo County community leaders pictured with CZI staff in the Community Space. I Photography by CZI

Our Work in the Community

Our work is rooted in strong collaborations and partnerships with the community. We work closely with local organizations that are activating community-centered solutions to address housing affordability, homelessness, education, and more; and that are building community power. We also connect organizations and leaders so that they can work together, share knowledge, and identify collaborative responses to issues facing the community.

Group of people work with crafting materials while sitting in rows of tables.
September 2023 | Community grantees enjoying a CZI hosted wellness retreat at Asilomar Conference Grounds. | Photograph by CZI.
September 2023 | Community grantees enjoying a CZI hosted wellness retreat at Asilomar Conference Grounds. | Photograph by CZI.

Community Capacity Building

Capacity building helps organizations build resilience, adaptability, and effectiveness. Equipped with additional knowledge and resources, nonprofits can adjust or scale their work, support and grow their teams, develop and deepen relationships with partners, and plan for the future. Working together with local experts and our grant partners, we co-design and host capacity building programs that connect nonprofit leaders and support organizational and leader development. At the center of this work is community and collaboration — creating space for organizations to connect and align on shared issues and opportunities for partnership and growth together.

Meet Our Team

Woman sits in booth talking to someone across a table with a laptop
July 25, 2023 | Rosa Cabrera, Community, pictured at CZI headquarters. | Photograph by CZI
July 25, 2023 | Rosa Cabrera, Community, pictured at CZI headquarters. | Photograph by CZI

Meet Our Team

Three women pose together with tables and people in the background.
January 18, 2024 | Alma Pulido, Community, with guests at the CZI Community Space in Redwood City. | Photograph by CZI
January 18, 2024 | Alma Pulido, Community, with guests at the CZI Community Space in Redwood City. | Photograph by CZI

Impact is made when you can authentically connect with the communities you want to serve to find solutions and chart a path forward together. Although this can be hard to measure, by cultivating deeper engagement with our partners they can tell us what’s working and what’s not. It’s a lot more powerful to hear from our communities and work towards a shared vision of success.

Ruby Bolaria Shifrin
October 2022 | . CZI staff pictured with members of the participatory grantmaking review panel and supporters in Woodside, San Mateo County. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango.
October 2022 | . CZI staff pictured with members of the participatory grantmaking review panel and supporters in Woodside, San Mateo County. Photograph by Carla Dano-Arango.
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin speaking at the United Hope Builders groundbreaking event with indieDwell
July 2022 | Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, Vice President, Head of Community, speaking at the United Hope Builders groundbreaking event with indieDwell | Photograph by CZI
July 2022 | Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, Vice President, Head of Community, speaking at the United Hope Builders groundbreaking event with indieDwell | Photograph by CZI

Community Team

Ruby Bolaria Shifrin Vice President, Head of Community
Robert Avruch Senior Program Officer, Housing Affordability
Amaya Bravo-France Program Officer, Housing Affordability
Rosa Cabrera Senior Program Officer, Community
Xiomara Cisneros Senior Program Officer, Housing Affordability
Elisa Espinoza Program Officer, Community
Tyrone Fleurizard Senior DEI Program and Operations Specialist
Cassey Gatchalian Executive Assistant and Logistics Coordinator, Community
Michelle Kai Senior Program Officer, Housing Affordability
Jennifer Martinez Policy Director, Housing Affordability
Jane Packer Director, Communications, Community
Joseph Prado Executive Assistant, Community
Alma Pulido Program Officer, Community Affairs, Community
Thato Ramoabi DEI Director, Racial Equity Grantmaking
Tatiana Sanchez-Rivera Manager, Communications, Community
Kevin Schuster Senior Manager, Housing Affordability
Jessica Schwartz Program Operations Manager, Community
Curtis Yancy Director, Local Impact, Community

Get in Touch

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Community Team

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Community Space Request

Interested in using the Community Space for an event or gathering?

Contact the
Community Team

Get in touch

Contact the Community Team

To contact the Community team, please complete this form.

Community Space Request

Interested in using the Community Space for an event or gathering?

Community Space Request

Use the form below to submit an event request.

A member of the CZI team will reach out within two weeks of your request to provide a status update.

To book the Community Space for an event, please email CommunitySpace@chanzuckerberg.com

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