The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Invites Bay Area Organizations to Apply for New Grant Funding

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropy that engineers change at scale in science, education and issues related to justice & opportunity, is inviting local Bay Area organizations to apply for new grant funding through the CZI Community Fund.

The CZI Community Fund is open for proposals starting today, July 31, through September 19, 2018. Established in 2017, the CZI Community Fund supports local organizations and leaders of Belle Haven, East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City working to meet pressing needs in these communities. Organizations who are selected will receive year-long grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.

In January 2018, The CZI Community Fund announced its inaugural cohort of 41 Bay Area organizations working on critical issues identified by local communities as top priorities. This second round of funding will prioritize organizations working to address basic and most urgent needs of at-risk and vulnerable individuals or families. These include the issues of education, food security, healthcare, homelessness, housing, immigration, mental health, transportation and workforce development.

“The CZI Community Fund is designed to respond to pressing needs in the communities where we live and work,” said Cristina Huezo, who leads community giving at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. “We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from so many impactful local leaders. We hope that this fund, together with our ongoing work around education, science, and justice and opportunity, will help lift up their work and create a brighter future for everyone across our Bay Area communities.”

Members of last year’s cohort are putting their support from the CZI Community Fund to work in a variety of ways. The Redwood City-Police Activities League (PAL) is a non-profit organization bringing together police professionals and community members to provide school-age children and their families with access to academic support, life skills, and personal development activities.  “Our team has truly enjoyed collaborating with the CZI team through open and meaningful dialogue around creating greater opportunities for children and families in our communities,” said Ivan Martinez, executive director, Redwood City-PAL. “Support like this is helping us expand our reach, building stronger connections, and nurture the next generation of leaders in our community.”

Proposals for the CZI Community Fund can be submitted here. Recipients will be notified in the fall about the status of their application, and finalists will be announced in early 2019.

To learn more about the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s work in the Bay Area, visit our website. Information on the CZI Community Fund’s first cohort of grantees can be found here.

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