Google Scraps Over 50 Nonprofits Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion From Its Financing Program List
In a notable move, tech giant Google has removed over 50 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) organizations from its 2024 funding list, as part of a broader purge of 214 groups. This strategic shift appears to prioritize AI investments and adjust to the evolving legal and political landscape.
According to a report by The Tech Transparency Project, Google has removed 58 nonprofit organizations from its list of organizations it funds. The list, which reflects contributions made in 2024, does not include all contributions made by other teams within the company, according to Google spokesperson José Castañeda.
Many of the removed groups had mission statements containing terms like "diversity," "equity," "inclusion," "race," and "activism," reflecting a DEI focus. The National Network to End Domestic Violence, which provides training, assistance, and public awareness campaigns on the issue of violence against women, was among the organizations removed. The Latino Leadership Alliance, dedicated to race equity affecting the Latino community, was also removed. The African American Community Service Agency, which empowers Black and historically excluded communities, was another organization on the list.
The implications for these DEI organizations include reduced public visibility of Google’s financial support, and potentially decreased funding itself, although Google has not explicitly confirmed a complete funding cutoff for all removed groups. For example, the National Network to End Domestic Violence remained a corporate partner and reportedly received $75,000 in 2024 despite its removal from the public list.
Google stated that its funding decisions shift annually based on where the company believes contributions will have the most impact. It also noted the necessity to comply with local laws, suggesting legal considerations may influence funding choices. However, the removal of DEI organizations from its list hints at a possible deprioritization or an effort to distance itself from DEI programs publicly amid political pressures and changing priorities.
In February, Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi shared an update that included programs with DEI content. The update did not specify which programs are being updated or why. According to an email Q&A viewed by Business Insider, Google staff will be updating programs that raise risk or are not as impactful as hoped. Google has also rolled back some of its DEI efforts this year, removing language associated with DEI from its annual report.
The ambiguity leaves open whether Google's withdrawal is a reduction or a removal of funding or primarily about limiting public association with DEI terminology. This could impact the capacity of DEI organizations to advance initiatives related to racial equity, inclusion, and community support, especially those historically reliant on corporate funding from large tech firms like Google.
The report references the most recent public list of organizations that receive the "most substantial contributions" from Google’s US Government Affairs and Public Policy team. The update by Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi pertains to programs, trainings, and initiatives within the company. The Tech Transparency Project, a tech watchdog, has been monitoring these developments closely.
In summary, the removal reflects a strategic recalibration influenced by political, legal, and business factors, affecting the operational visibility and potentially the financial support of DEI-focused nonprofit organizations supported by Google. The implications for these organizations and the broader DEI movement remain to be seen.
- This strategic recalibration by Google, as noted by The Tech Transparency Project, has resulted in the removal of several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) focused nonprofit organizations from its funding list, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Latino Leadership Alliance, and the African American Community Service Agency.
- The absence of these DEI organizations from Google's public list of funded organizations could lead to a reduction in public visibility of Google's financial support, potentially impacting their capacity for education-and-self-development and community engagement initiatives related to racial equity, inclusion, and support.
- As technology continues to evolve and shape the landscape, the future role of leadership in promoting and ensuring inclusion within the tech industry and beyond remains uncertain given Google's decision to prioritize AI investments and adjust to the evolving legal and political landscape.
