The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Community Fund supports nonprofit organizations that are helping build a thriving San Mateo County, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper.
Donor Name: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI)
State: California
County: San Mateo County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/06/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Community Fund is an annual grant program that ensures local organizations have the resources they need to advance their missions and make a meaningful impact.
The Community Fund supports organizations that are increasing access to the building blocks of social and economic well-being, like housing, healthcare, education, job and career skills, and other social supports.
Funding Information
Selected organizations will join the Community Fund grant partner cohort, receiving two-year general operations or project support grants of up to $200,000.
Funding Criteria
All proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Response to Community: Preference will be given to organizations whose work supports the economic and community well-being within San Mateo County. These organizations should be expanding access to the building blocks of community and economic well-being — housing, healthcare, education, job and career skills, and other social supports.
- Geography: Organizations working in communities across San Mateo County.
- Community Engagement: Preference will be given to organizations that:
- center the voices of those within their local communities, and
- demonstrate a long-term commitment and connection to the communities they serve.
- Intended Impact(s): Preference will be given to organizations that:
- demonstrate a clear and nuanced analysis of issue(s) and opportunities locally;
- clearly outline their approach;
- define what short, medium, and long-term success looks like; and
- identify potential challenges and possible solutions for those challenges.
- Leadership, Staff, and Governance: Preference will be given to organizations whose leadership, staff, and governance:
- have deep experience in the communities supported; and
- have experience and expertise that makes them well-suited to support the chosen communities.
- Collaboration: Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate a collaborative spirit through:
- an awareness of potential overlapping and complementary efforts among other nonprofit partners;
- partnerships to increase impact, where appropriate; and
- an understanding of local community context and the desire and ability to leverage existing community relationships and/or build new ones.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations interested in funding through the CZI Community Fund must meet the following criteria:
- Tax Status: Organizations must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or have a valid fiscal agent or sponsor that is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. .
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Grantee Status: Organizations and sponsored projects from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative that end on or before December 31, 2025, are eligible to apply for funding from the CZI Community Fund. Organizations with grants from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative that extend beyond December 31, 2025, are not eligible to apply for funding from the CZI Community Fund.
- Local School Districts and School Foundations: CZI supports local school districts and school foundations in various ways, but not through the CZI Community Fund. They do accept applications from organizations working in, or collaborating with local school districts.
For more information, visit CZI.
