Deadline: 27-Aug-21
Applications are now open for the 2022 Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) Community Fund to supports local organizations that are increasing access to the building blocks of social and economic well-being, like housing, healthcare, education, job, and career skills, and supporting civic engagement so people have the opportunity to shape their communities.
Community leaders and nonprofit organizations are breaking down barriers to help create a more socially, economically, and racially just San Mateo County, where people have the opportunity to shape their lives and communities. The CZI Community Fund was created to support this work. The Community Fund is an annual grantmaking program that pairs grants with codesigned capacity building programming to support leadership and organizational development so these organizations have the resources and tools they need to further their missions and work.
Through their programs and services, Community Fund partners are increasing socioeconomic opportunity for people of color and other communities in San Mateo County, including low-income households, immigrants regardless of documentation status, and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Funding Information
If selected, organizations will receive two-year unrestricted or project-based grants ranging 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 that support the economic and social well-being of communities including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other people of color; low-income households; immigrants, regardless of documentation status; and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. These organizations should be expanding access to the building blocks of social and economic well-being — food security, safe and affordable housing, job training — and driving advocacy and civic engagement so people have the opportunity to shape their lives and communities.
- Geography: Organizations should be working in communities in San Mateo County.
- Community Engagement: Preference will be given to organizations that
- center the voices of those with lived experience, 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
- reflect the rich diversity and stories of the communities they support.
- Collaboration: Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate a collaborative spirit through
- an awareness of available overlapping and complementary efforts;
- 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; have a valid fiscal agent or sponsor that is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or be a local municipality or government agency. Valid documentation must be submitted with your proposal by the proposal deadline of August 27, 2021, at 5 pm PT.
- Organization Budget: Given the length of the CZI Community Fund grants (two years), funding from the Community Fund must not make up more than 25 percent of an organization’s full budget.
- Availability for a Meeting: Organizations that move beyond the internal review process must be willing and available to participate in a one-hour meeting with CZI staff in October 2021. These meetings will only be scheduled in the case that additional information is required. A meeting does not guarantee funding.
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Grantee Status: Organizations and sponsored projects with General Support grants from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative that end on or before December 31, 2021, are eligible to apply for funding from the CZI Community Fund. Organizations with grants from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative that extend beyond December 31, 2021 are not eligible to apply for funding from the CZI Community Fund. Please reach out with any questions.
- 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 schools.
For more information, visit https://chanzuckerberg.com/rfa/2022-czi-community-fund/