Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are major philanthropists primarily through their organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
They established CZI in 2015 with a pledge to transfer 99% of their Meta (Facebook) shares over their lifetimes to charitable and venture capital initiatives, which was initially valued at approximately $45 billion.
🌟 Key Facts about the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI):
Structure: CZI is structured as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), rather than a traditional non-profit foundation. This allows it greater flexibility to fund traditional non-profits, make private investments in for-profit companies, and engage in policy and advocacy work.
Co-CEOs: Priscilla Chan (a pediatrician and former teacher) and Mark Zuckerberg serve as Co-CEOs. Dr. Chan is widely considered to have a strong influence on the CZI's philanthropic focus, particularly in health and education, given her background.
Mission: To "advance human potential and promote equality in areas such as health, education, scientific research and energy" and to "build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone."
🔬 Main Focus Areas:
CZI's work is concentrated on three main areas, often using a combination of technology, grantmaking, and research:
1. Science:
Goal: To support the science and technology necessary to cure, prevent, or manage all diseases in this century.
Projects: Includes the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network (which brings together scientists and engineers for cutting-edge biomedical research), research grants, and building technology tools to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery.
2. Education:
Goal: To ensure every child has access to a high-quality education, focusing on personalized learning and promoting educational equity.
Projects: Funding initiatives that integrate learning science and technology into educational tools used by teachers and students.
3. Justice & Opportunity:
Goal: To promote a more inclusive and just society by addressing systemic barriers.
Projects: Focused on issues like criminal justice reform, housing affordability (especially in the Bay Area and California), and immigration reform.
In addition to CZI, the couple has made other significant donations, including a \$75 million donation to the San Francisco General Hospital (where Chan worked) and a previous \$120 million pledge to public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area.
www.cskuan.com
