CZI | How We Support Our Community

We work in service of a more just Bay Area and California, where people impacted by systemic racism and structural inequities can shape their communities.

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

Youth & Families Experiencing Homelessness

Support for local youth and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

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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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Community Fund

Support for local organizations that are increasing socioeconomic opportunity in communities in San Mateo County.

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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
View of airborne bubbles and a live band in front of the courthouse in downtown Redwood City during Kidchella, an event sponsored by CZI (Community).
September 9, 2018 | Downtown Redwood City during Kidchella, an event sponsored by CZI. | Photograph by CZI
September 9, 2018 | Downtown Redwood City during Kidchella, an event sponsored by CZI. | Photograph 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.

Women with the Belle Haven Community Development Fund working with wall charts at a CZI Community capacity building gathering in Palo Alto.
August 2019 | Juanita Croft, Belle Haven Community Development Fund, at a CZI Community capacity building gathering in Palo Alto. | Photograph by CZI
August 2019 | Juanita Croft, Belle Haven Community Development Fund, at a CZI Community capacity building gathering in Palo Alto. | 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

Na’eem Salaam, Vice President, Operations and Community, speaking at a CZI Offsite.
January 24, 2020 | Na’eem Salaam, Vice President, Operations and Community, speaking at a CZI Offsite. | Photograph by CZI
January 24, 2020 | Na’eem Salaam, Vice President, Operations and Community, speaking at a CZI Offsite. | Photograph by CZI

Meet Our Team

CZI Community team members and guests talking and studying wall of pink and yellow sticky notes, at the CZI Community Space opening in Redwood City.
January 23, 2020 | Alma Pulido, Community, with a guest at the CZI Community Space opening in Redwood City. | Photograph by CZI
January 23, 2020 | Alma Pulido, Community, with a guest at the CZI Community Space opening in Redwood City. | Photograph by CZI

Whether it’s the Bay Area or elsewhere, community is about knowing the history, the people, and the culture, and feeling as though they are all woven together to create a fabric that makes everyone stronger.

Na’eem Salaam
The Community team at an art exhibit program in the CZI Community Space.
April 18, 2022 | The Community team at an art exhibit program in the CZI Community Space. | Photograph by CZI
April 18, 2022 | The Community team at an art exhibit program in the CZI Community Space. | Photograph by CZI
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin speaking at the United Hope Builders groundbreaking event with indieDwell
July 2022 | Ruby Bolaria Shifrin speaking at the United Hope Builders groundbreaking event with indieDwell | Photograph by CZI
July 2022 | Ruby Bolaria Shifrin speaking at the United Hope Builders groundbreaking event with indieDwell | Photograph by CZI

Leadership

Na’eem Salaam Vice President, Operations and Community
Ruby Bolaria Shifrin Head of Community
Robert Avruch Advocacy Associate, Housing Affordability
Amaya Bravo-France Associate, Housing Affordability
Rosa Cabrera Manager, Community
CJ Callen Director, Community Leadership and Capacity Building
Michelle Chung Associate, Housing Affordability
Xiomara Cisneros Manager, Housing Affordability
Elisa Espinoza Associate, Community
Cassey Gatchalian Executive Assistant, Community
Jane Packer Director, Communications
Andrea Jones Director, Place Based Giving
Jennifer Martinez Director, Housing Affordability
Joseph Prado Executive Assistant
Alma Pulido Associate, Community
Kevin Schuster Manager, Housing Affordability
Jessica Schwartz Operations Manager, Community
Curtis Yancy Manager, Community

Get in Touch

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Community Team

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Community Space or Program Sponsorship Request

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

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Community Team

Get in touch

Contact the Community Team

To contact the Community team, please complete this form.

Community Space or Program Sponsorship Request

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

Community Space or Program Sponsorship Request

Use the form below to submit an event or a program sponsorship request.

You will receive an email confirmation once your sponsorhip request has been successfully submitted. A member of the CZI team will reach back within two weeks of your request to provide a status update.

If you have questions or need assistance, please email sponsorships@chanzuckerberg.com. To book the Community Space for an event, please email community@chanzuckerberg.com

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