CZI Community Fund

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Community Fund is an annual grantmaking program designed to support nonprofit organizations working within San Mateo County, California. Now in its ninth grantmaking cycle, the program aims to help build a thriving and equitable local community where every resident has the opportunity to succeed. The Fund offers financial resources to local nonprofits so they can further their missions and address community needs such as housing, healthcare, education, career development, and other social services. Founded in 2015, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative seeks to address major societal challenges, including disease eradication, educational reform, and community support. The organization is committed to creating a more inclusive and healthy future and operates various grantmaking and support programs, including the Community Fund, to foster long-term partnerships in San Mateo County. CZI supports the local ecosystem through various means, such as grants, community engagement, and the provision of shared community spaces. Grants from the CZI Community Fund are awarded as either unrestricted general operating support or as project-specific support. Each selected nonprofit may receive a grant of up to $200,000 over two years. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) or have a qualifying fiscal sponsor. Applicants must be based in or serve communities within San Mateo County. Organizations with current CZI grants that end by December 31, 2025, are eligible, but those with active grants beyond that date or those who received funding in the 2024 Community Fund cycle are not eligible. The application window opens on May 6, 2025, and closes on June 6, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT. Applications must be submitted through the SurveyMonkey Apply portal. A pre-recorded webinar offering application guidance and answering frequently asked questions will be available starting May 6, 2025. Additional assistance can be requested via email at community@chanzuckerberg.com. Funding decisions will be made by a review panel consisting of CZI employees, and award announcements will be made in Fall 2025. Grant proposals are evaluated based on alignment with community and economic well-being goals, geographical relevance to San Mateo County, depth of community engagement, clarity of intended impacts, leadership experience, and collaborative approaches. While the Fund no longer involves community members in the grant review panel, the program continues to emphasize community input and alignment with local needs.