Google Removes Over 50 DEI Groups from Funding List

Google has removed more than 50 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) organizations from its 2024 public funding list, dropping 58 DEI-related groups amid a broader cut of 214 total organizations while adding 101 new ones. This move reflects a significant retreat from DEI commitments as Google shifts focus toward investments in artificial intelligence and navigates political pressures, including directives from the Trump administration to limit funding to groups emphasizing terms like "diversity," "equity," "inclusion," "race," "activism," and "women." Among the removed organizations are the African American Community Service Agency, Latino Leadership Alliance, and Enroot, all of which support marginalized communities. Google maintains that these changes represent contributions from a single department and that the company continues to support hundreds of organizations advocating for pro-innovation policies across the political spectrum. The decision aligns with a wider industry trend where tech giants, including Meta, have significantly cut DEI budgets following political and legal shifts, such as the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. Employee reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing the move as politically motivated and others accepting it as a strategic pivot toward core business objectives like AI development.