Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy (CZIA) is a public charity based in Palo Alto, California, formed in 2016. It promotes public policy change through research, education, advocacy, grantmaking, and other activities intended to advance its exempt purposes.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy at a glance
In short: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy gave $29.1M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $14.6M), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $29,144,865
- -51.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,572,433
- -51.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,572,433
- Total assets
- $32,871,568
- -83.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy
- Contact
Mailing address: 314 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: (650) 804-7100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy
Who Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Just Trust for Action ($26.3M). Together the top 2 received $29.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 29 grants of 78 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The two listed 2024 grants went to organizations in North Carolina and Washington, DC; 90% of the grant dollars went to North Carolina and 10% to DC. Separately, the CZI Community Fund supports organizations working in San Mateo County, California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy gives
- Giving fell 62% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $29.1M (2024) to $76.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $29.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Just Trust for Action Durham, NC | General Operating Support | $26,250,000 |
| FWDUS Inc Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $2,894,865 |
Ready to take the next step with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $32,871,568 | $75,998,182 | $32,089,962 | $29,144,865 | 2 | $75,998,182 |
| 2023 | $197,641,273 | $54,150,953 | $64,753,106 | $60,370,122 | 2 | $2,354,451 |
| 2022 | $80,803,442 | $637,815 | $37,897,269 | $35,928,880 | 4 | $145,459 |
| 2021 | $150,347,218 | $75,197,628 | $78,058,856 | $76,249,233 | 25 | $4,420 |
| 2020 | $112,842,335 | $57,816,637 | $41,292,687 | $39,457,372 | 45 | $8,801,835 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CZIA’s stated mission is “to promote and bring about advances in areas of public policy.” The organization says it promotes the general welfare of individuals and their communities by advocating for beneficial public policy changes.
In 2024, CZIA gave general operating support to two organizations. The Just Trust for Action describes its mission as accelerating criminal justice reform advocates’ work, from legislative victories to efforts to change perceptions. FWD.US, Inc. describes its mission as organizing constituencies to support policy changes that create opportunity through comprehensive immigration reform and criminal justice reform.
The CZI Community Fund supports San Mateo County nonprofits working to increase access to housing, healthcare, education, job and career skills, and civic engagement. The annual program pairs grants with capacity-building programming focused on leadership and organizational development. Eligible organizations work in San Mateo County.
Grantmaking
In 2024, CZIA made two grants totaling $29,144,865. The median grant was $14,572,432, with grants ranging from $2,894,865 to $26,250,000. Both were for general operating support:
CZIA states that it reviews potential grantees’ eligibility based on tax-exempt status and organization type. It uses formal grant agreements and analyzes whether grants are for political, advocacy, or other purposes. Its grants management team may maintain ongoing contact with grantees to monitor and discuss the use of funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Cristina Huezo, president; Liz Castellanos, secretary/treasurer from September 14, 2024; Brian Manca, secretary/treasurer through September 23, 2024; and Laura Lazarus-Gardner, director.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy is led by Cristina Huezo, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cristina Huezo
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lazarus-Gardner
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Manca
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Castellanos
Secretary & Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Caitlyn Fox (2020–2023) — President
- Former: David Plouffe (2020) — President & Director · Filing note: Thru mar 2020
- Former: James Wang (2020) — Director · Filing note: Thru mar 2020
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy
How much does Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy give each year?
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy gave $29.1M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $60.4M across 2 grants.
How large is Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy?
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy reported $32.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $76.0M.
What does Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy fund?
CZIA’s stated mission is “to promote and bring about advances in areas of public policy.” The organization says it promotes the general welfare of individuals and their communities by advocating for beneficial public policy changes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy?
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy make grants?
The two listed 2024 grants went to organizations in North Carolina and Washington, DC; 90% of the grant dollars went to North Carolina and 10% to DC. Separately, the CZI Community Fund supports organizations working in San Mateo County, California.
What is Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy's EIN?
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3742328. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Open Society Action Fund Inc
New York, NY
Open Society Action Fund supports domestic and international policy advocacy and organizations working on democracy, civil and human rights, racial and gender justice, reproductive freedom, economic security, and related issues. In 2024, its grants had a median of $400,000, with awards ranging from about $40,000 to $16.4 million; its work spans U.S. issues and regions worldwide, though most reported grant dollars went to recipients in the District of Columbia and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.6M
Grants
203
Total Given
$159.6M
Sixteen Thirty Fund
Washington, DC
SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND supports social-change projects focused on areas including racial justice, voting access, health care, climate, and democracy, with work across the United States. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,700 to $27.85 million, with a median of $115,000. It generally requires a written application, but the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$106.5M
Grants
318
Total Given
$236.4M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Heising-Simons Action Fund
Los Altos, CA
The Heising-Simons Action Fund supports policy and legislative advocacy on climate and clean energy, education, human rights, civic engagement, and democracy, in California and elsewhere. In 2024, grants ranged from $20,000 to $645,000, with a median of $200,000. No application method or deadline is stated, so whether it accepts unsolicited requests is unclear.
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
73
Total Given
$16.2M
NEO Philanthropy Action Fund Inc
New York, NY
NEO Philanthropy Action Fund supports advocacy and organizing on immigrant justice, civic participation and voter education, and climate change and clean energy. In 2024, its 56 grants ranged from $10,000 to $3.25 million, with a median of $90,000; grants went to organizations in multiple states, led by New York and California. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.1M
Grants
56
Total Given
$10.2M
The Just Trust for Action
Durham, NC
The Just Trust for Action funds criminal justice reform advocacy, including advocacy infrastructure, campaigns, community safety solutions, and media and research; it offers largely multiyear general operating support to advocacy groups and project support to multi-issue organizations. It supports work nationally, with a goal of building advocacy infrastructure in all 50 states; 2024 grants ranged from $15,000 to $5 million, with a median of $100,000. It accepts funding inquiries through a rolling online form.
Assets
$57.0M
Grants
24
Total Given
$15.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy down — hundreds of funders to go?