Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan are donating $1.3 million to 11 Jewish organizations, eJewish Philanthropy reported, citing a spokesperson for the couple.
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The funding comes from the Chan-Zuckerberg family office and not the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
According to the report, most of the 11 organizations receiving funding serve families and young people in the San Francisco Bay Area, although two national organizations received support – OneTable, which helps Jews host Shabbat dinners; and PJ Library, which provides free books to Jewish families.
The recipients include three schools: Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette, Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School in Palo Alto and the Jewish Community High School of the Bay; as well as three California summer camps: URJ Camp Newman, Camp Ramah in California and Camp Tawonga.
The local Jewish Family and Children's Services and Jewish Community Relations Council, in addition to the Oshman Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto, also received support.
The couple's primary home is in Palo Alto.
"Mark and Priscilla are proud to support the important work each of these organizations does in building communities, education, celebrating traditions and faith, and giving people a voice – especially in fighting antisemitism," the spokesperson said.
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The couple that controls much of Facebook became a major philanthropic power in 2015 when it launched the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, pledging to donate 99% of its Facebook fortune to charity. The recent spate of Jewish donations was made out of the couple's family office, separately from the initiative, according to eJewish Philanthropy.
The report noted that the couple "has also been meeting with rabbis, historians and scholars to learn more about Judaism and the Jewish community."
"Mark and Priscilla have made some personal commitments in the past, but these new grants reinforce their interest in learning and deepening their connections with the community," the spokesperson said.
