How Mark Zuckerberg's Initiative Works

PALO ALTO, CA -- Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has committed $45 million to improving American cities, but the way he's investing in causes is different from your typical foundation.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which was co-founded by his wife Priscilla Chan, is "structured as a limited liability company, meaning it has more flexibility in political advocacy and far fewer legal obligations to disclose how it does so," according to an exclusive article by Vice News.

The news site writes that the company has at least a $60 billion funding commitment, making it larger than the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. However, because it's structured as a company, Zuckerberg and Chan face less obstacles when donating to certain political causes.

"But it also won’t have to publicly disclose individual grants, operating budgets, or total assets, like most foundations must on 990 forms. They also won’t have to argue they’re a 'social welfare; organization as many overtly political nonprofits — such as those that employ Karl Rove and other political operatives — must do," according to the article.

The initiative has a goal of "advancing human potential and promoting equal opportunity" and has so far, funded 38 projects, according to its website.

-- AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh