The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) is inviting organizations serving San Mateo County communities to apply for two-year grants of up to $200,000 from the CZI Community Fund.
Created in 2017, the CZI Community Fund has supplied grants to over 90 local organizations that are “helping to create a more socially, economically, and racially just San Mateo County,” including those that increase access to housing, healthcare, education, job and career skills and other social supports, CZI said.
“The Community Fund pairs grants with capacity building programming to support leadership and organizational development so local organizations have the resources and tools they need to further their missions and work,” according to CZI.
The 2022 Community Fund is evolving this year to expand Countywide. In the past, the Fund has supported organizations solely working in Belle Haven, East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks and Redwood City. Also, grant awards are shifting from one-year grants to two-year grants to enhance flexibility for organizations. CZI said it has also added a 24-person community review panel to “ensure grantmaking decisions are informed by community participation and feedback.”
Local organizations working across San Mateo County can submit applications online, now through Aug. 27.
“Local organizations have been a driving force in the response to COVID-19, supporting the health, safety and resilience of their communities. Now more than ever, they need additional support to address the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic,” said Cristina Huezo, Vice President of Community at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. “Following feedback from community partners, we’ve introduced updates to the Community Fund this year to strengthen the program and help organizations sustain and build on their critical work.”
CZI co-founders and co-CEOs Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg meet with staff at the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto in January 2019. (Photograph by CZI)
