Chan Zuckerberg Initiative severs ties with FWD.us amid political pressure
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has stopped funding FWD.us and one of its staffers has resigned from the advocacy group’s board, marking a significant shift for an organization Zuckerberg co‑founded in 2013. CZI provided more than half of FWD.us’s roughly $400 million in donations since its founding; this year it made no contributions and did not fill the vacant board seat.
FWD.us — a group focused on immigration and criminal‑justice reform — has long relied on donations from technology philanthropies. The move by CZI follows reports that Zuckerberg met with Trump adviser Stephen Miller, and comes amid a series of policy changes at Meta earlier this year, including cuts to DEI programs and the removal of third‑party fact‑checkers.
Key facts
- CZI ceased funding FWD.us this year and did not replace its chief‑of‑staff on the FWD.us board.
- Historically, CZI contributed a substantial share of FWD.us donations (over half of ~$400M).
- The change comes as Meta has altered internal policies and leadership ties amid a shifting political landscape.
Why it matters
This decision raises questions about how large tech philanthropies and companies navigate political pressures and government relationships. For FWD.us, the loss of its largest donor may force fundraising changes or shift its strategic priorities. For Meta and CZI, the move will be scrutinized as observers evaluate whether the company is aligning more closely with the current US administration’s priorities.
Reactions and context
FWD.us leadership said new donors have stepped up to support the organization, but the loss of CZI funding is still a notable development for a group that has historically depended on tech philanthropy. Critics interpret CZI’s withdrawal as evidence of Big Tech accommodation to political power, while supporters of the change point to legal and regulatory considerations companies now face.
For more reporting and analysis, see the coverage by major outlets for additional details on timing, amounts and statements from the organizations involved.
Discussion: Does CZI’s decision change how you view Meta’s independence from political influence — and should tech philanthropies avoid ties to advocacy groups when administrations change?