Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, outlined a plan together with his wife, Priscilla Chan, by creating the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization whose goal is to promote human potential and equality by advancing science, technology, and medical research, with the aim of curing or preventing diseases.
Zuckerberg and Chan will donate 99% of their Facebook shares (at the time of starting the project, ten years ago, it was 45 billion dollars) throughout their lives to promote that mission.
“We know this is a small contribution compared to all the resources and talent of those who are already working on these issues. But we want to do what is within our reach, collaborating with many others,” said Zuckerberg in a letter when he presented the project.
The open letter was addressed to his daughter, Maxima Chan Zuckerberg, who, he explained, was the motivation for starting the project.
“Today, your mother and I commit ourselves to dedicating our lives to doing our bit to help solve these challenges,” said the executive.
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“I will continue to be the CEO of Facebook for many years, but these issues are too important to wait until you or we are older to start. By starting young, we hope to see cumulative benefits throughout our lives,” he added.
Their mission prioritizes long-term investment, work with communities, and technological innovation.
What is Zuckerberg and Chan’s mission?
Zuckerberg and Chan’s mission is supported by long-term investments, direct contact with communities, technology development, participation in public policy debate, support for independent leaders, and a willingness to take risks in order to learn.
The approach, as they propose, starts from the idea that major challenges are not solved with a short-term perspective: they propose horizons of 25, 50, or even 100 years to sustain projects and investments.
They also maintain that they need to interact directly with the people they seek to help, with the goal of understanding the needs and desires of their communities before designing solutions.
They maintain that major challenges require timeframes of 25, 50, or even 100 years. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Another axis is the development of technology as an engine of change. In that framework, they state that, although many institutions provide funds to face these challenges, a significant part of the progress comes through productivity increases driven by innovation.
Furthermore, they state that it is necessary to participate in policy formulation and advocacy to influence public debates. In their view, progress only becomes sustainable when it has the backing of social movements.
The plan also includes supporting “strong and independent” leaders in each field, as it is considered that collaborating with experts is more effective for the mission than trying to lead the efforts on one’s own.
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The plan aims to support “strong and independent” leaders in each area.
Finally, they highlight the need to take risks in the present to extract lessons for the future. They admit that not everything they attempt will work, but they assure that they will listen, learn, and continue adjusting their strategy.
What the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has done
Dr. Priscilla Chan and her husband, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, donated USD 1.48 million to incorporate new diagnostic imaging technology at Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe.
According to authorities at the Kauaʻi hospital, the contribution will fund a mobile magnetic resonance imaging unit and 3D mammography equipment.
Chan and Zuckerberg donated USD 1.48 million for new imaging technology at the Wilcox Medical Center, in Līhuʻe.
“Time and again, Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg step up to ensure that our community has access to the best medical technology,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kaua‘i Medical Clinic.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) also announced a series of grants and investments totaling more than USD 10 million to support families, students, and non-governmental organizations in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven, with the goal of sustaining and expanding the integrated, family-centered services led by The Primary School (TPS).
As detailed, the investment package seeks to provide continuity to components of the TPS model, such as integrated care, support for early childhood, and family well-being.
CZI announced grants and investments of more than USD 10 million for families, students, and NGOs in East Palo Alto and Belle Haven.
As part of a USD 50 million commitment announced last year, CZI indicated that it worked with community partners to identify and align investments with greater impact for families.
In addition, he pointed out that he allocated USD 3.6 million to nearly 550 educational savings accounts for students at The Primary School in East Bay and East Palo Alto.
Those funds, as he explained, grow over time and aim to help families cover future education costs with tax benefits.
