Google Deletes Over 50 DEI Organizations from its Grant Program Listing
In a significant development, tech giant Google has reportedly removed 58 nonprofit organizations associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from the list of entities receiving its most substantial contributions via its U.S. Government Affairs division. The removal was confirmed in a report by the Tech Transparency Project in August 2025 [1][2].
The list in question reflects contributions made in 2025, according to Google spokesperson José Castañeda. Notably, the removed organizations had mission statements that included words like "diversity," "equity," "inclusion," "race," "activism," and "women." Examples of these organizations include the National Network to End Domestic Violence, which focuses on violence against women, the African American Community Service Agency, which empowers Black and historically excluded communities, and the Latino Leadership Alliance, dedicated to race equity affecting the Latino community.
However, the exact reason for this removal has not been explicitly detailed in the reports. It remains unclear whether Google has ended the funding or is simply concealing the partnerships. The update may include programs that raise risk or are not as impactful as hoped, according to Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi [3].
This development comes amid broader political and legal debates in the U.S. regarding DEI programs, with federal courts recently striking down Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating DEI initiatives in schools and universities [4]. The removal of DEI-focused organizations from Google's funding list is part of a wider environment where DEI programs are encountering political and funding pressures.
Google has been making changes to its DEI efforts this year. Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi announced an update in February, stating that Google staff will be evaluating and updating programs, trainings, and initiatives. Melonie Parker, Google's former head of diversity, stated that the company was "updating" programs that had "DEI content." The update was shared by Fiona Cicconi in an email Q&A, and it was also reported by CNBC [5].
It is essential to note that the removal of these organizations does not reflect all contributions made by other teams within the company. Google spokesperson José Castañeda stated that the list does not reflect all contributions made by other teams within the company.
As the situation evolves, monitoring Google’s corporate communications or further investigative reports would be necessary to gain a clearer understanding of Google's official stance on this matter.
[1] Tech Transparency Project. (2025). Google Removes Nonprofit Organizations from Funding List. [online] Available at: https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/google-removes-nonprofit-organizations-from-funding-list/
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Google Removes 58 DEI-Focused Nonprofits from Funding List. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/01/google-removes-58-dei-focused-nonprofits-from-funding-list
[3] CNBC. (2025). Google Rolls Back Some DEI Efforts, Removes 58 Nonprofits from Funding List. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/google-rolls-back-some-dei-efforts-removes-58-nonprofits-from-funding-list.html
[4] The New York Times. (2025). Federal Courts Strike Down Trump Administration Actions Aimed at Eliminating DEI Initiatives in Schools and Universities. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/us/politics/federal-courts-strike-down-trump-administration-actions-aimed-at-eliminating-dei-initiatives-in-schools-and-universities.html
[5] Business Insider. (2025). Google Removes Over 50 DEI-Focused Nonprofit Organizations from Its Funding List. [online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/google-removes-over-50-dei-focused-nonprofit-organizations-from-its-funding-list-2025-8
- The removal of the 58 nonprofit organizations from Google's funding list, focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), has raised questions about Google's stance on these issues, particularly within the broader context of political debates in the U.S.
- The mission statements of the removed organizations, such as the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the African American Community Service Agency, and the Latino Leadership Alliance, emphasized diversity, race equity, and inclusion.
- Google's Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, has announced that the company will be evaluating and updating its DEI programs and initiatives, hinting at potential changes in focus or approach.
- It is important to note that the removal of these organizations does not reflect all contributions made by other teams within the company, according to Google spokesperson José Castañeda.
