Key Facts
- ✓ Mark Zuckerberg co-founded FWD.us in 2013 to advocate for pro-immigration policies.
- ✓ CZI provided over half of FWD.us's approximately $400 million in donations since 2013.
- ✓ In 2025, CZI ended all funding to FWD.us for the first time and resigned from its board.
- ✓ Meta ended DEI programs, third-party fact-checking, and updated content policies in January 2025.
- ✓ FWD.us reports new donors stepping up to support ongoing immigration and justice reform efforts.
Quick Summary
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), led by Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, has officially ended its financial and board support for FWD.us, the pro-immigration advocacy group Zuckerberg co-founded in 2013. This decision represents a significant shift, as CZI provided no funding to FWD.us for the first time in 2025, after contributing over half of the approximately $400 million donated to the nonprofit since its inception.
CZI's chief of staff, Jordan Fox, resigned from the FWD.us board, with no replacement appointed. The organization stated that this change aligns with a strategic focus on science, education, and local communities, a transition planned nearly five years ago. Meanwhile, Meta, Zuckerberg's company, implemented policy overhauls in January 2025, including the termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, removal of third-party fact-checkers, and adjustments to allow more lenient language on immigration and LGBTQ+ topics.
These developments occur against the backdrop of Donald Trump's return to power and his administration's strict immigration stance. Zuckerberg's past advocacy for immigrant pathways contrasts with recent engagements, such as a meeting with Trump adviser Stephen Miller. Despite the funding cut, FWD.us plans to continue its work with support from new donors.
Founding of FWD.us and Early Support
In 2013, during the presidency of Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg co-founded FWD.us, a nonprofit dedicated to pro-immigration advocacy and justice reform. The group aimed to promote paths to citizenship for talented and hardworking individuals regardless of their birthplace.
Zuckerberg expressed strong support for these initiatives, highlighting the importance of opportunities for immigrants. He described encounters with talented immigrant children raised in America as heartbreaking due to their lack of access to the same opportunities enjoyed by others.
FWD.us received substantial backing from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) in its early years. Over the period from 2013 onward, donations to the nonprofit totaled roughly $400 million, with CZI providing more than half of that amount.
"“Nearly five years ago, we shared that we were focusing on our core work in science, education, and supporting our local communities. As part of that transition, we committed foundational funding to FWD.us to continue their bipartisan work. We have fulfilled that financial commitment and wound down our social advocacy funding.”"
— CZI Spokesperson
CZI's Decision to Sever Ties
Funding and Board Changes
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has ceased all funding to FWD.us in 2025, marking the first year without financial support from Zuckerberg's philanthropy arm. This ends a long-standing partnership that began with the group's founding.
In addition to the funding cut, Jordan Fox, CZI's chief of staff, resigned from the FWD.us board. No other CZI representative will take the position, leaving the slot vacant for the first time in the organization's history.
Official Statement from CZI
A spokesperson for CZI explained that the organization began shifting priorities nearly five years ago. The focus moved toward core areas in science, education, and supporting local communities.
As part of this transition, CZI committed foundational funding to enable FWD.us to continue its bipartisan efforts. That commitment has now been fulfilled, leading to the wind-down of social advocacy funding. The couple's Biohub initiative currently serves as their primary philanthropy effort.
Context Amid Political Shifts
Engagements with Trump Administration Figures
In late 2024, Mark Zuckerberg met with Stephen Miller, a key adviser to Donald Trump. During the discussion, Miller questioned Zuckerberg's ongoing ties to FWD.us.
This meeting occurred as Trump prepared for his second term, emphasizing strict immigration policies. Zuckerberg's interactions reflect broader adaptations by Big Tech leaders to the changing political landscape.
Meta's Policy Overhauls
In January 2025, prior to Trump's inauguration, Meta announced significant policy changes. The company ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Meta also discontinued the use of third-party fact-checkers, citing them as too politically biased. Policy updates permitted insulting language on topics related to immigration and LGBTQ+ issues.
Furthermore, Meta added Dana White, a supporter of Trump, to its board. These adjustments align with a regulatory environment that views certain group-advantaging policies as potentially unlawful.
Zuckerberg commented on the evolving landscape in a New York Times interview, noting that institutions must adjust accordingly. In a January investor call, he expressed optimism about the new administration's support for American technology and innovation.
Future Outlook for FWD.us
Despite the loss of CZI support, FWD.us remains committed to its mission. The group advocates for immigrants facing current challenges and seeks improvements in immigration and criminal justice reform.
Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, acknowledged gratitude toward past and present donors. He highlighted an influx of new supporters in recent years, particularly this year, enabling continued operations.
This donor momentum positions FWD.us to sustain its bipartisan work for years to come. The organization's resilience underscores ongoing efforts in immigration advocacy amid shifting political dynamics.
In conclusion, the severance of ties between CZI and FWD.us illustrates evolving priorities in philanthropy and technology sectors. As Zuckerberg's initiatives pivot toward science and education, FWD.us adapts with fresh backing to address pressing societal issues.
"“We're in the middle of a pretty rapidly changing policy and regulatory landscape that views any policy that might advantage any one group of people over another as something that is unlawful. Because of that, we and every other institution out there are going to need to adjust.”"
— Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO
"“We now have a US administration that is proud of our leading companies, prioritizes American technology winning and that will defend our values and interests abroad. I am optimistic about the progress and innovation that this can unlock, so this is going to be a big year.”"
— Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO
"“When you meet these [immigrant] children who are really talented, and they've grown up in America, and they really don't know any other country besides that, but they don't have the opportunities that we all enjoy, it's really heartbreaking, right? That seems like it's one of the biggest civil rights issues of our time.”"
— Mark Zuckerberg, 2013
"“We're thankful to our donors, past and present, and so grateful to the many new donors who have stepped up in the past few years — and particularly the influx of new supporters we have seen this year. This allows us to fight for immigrants under attack today and to build a better approach to immigration and criminal justice reform for many, many years to come.”"
— Todd Schulte, FWD.us President
