Gold nanoparticles provide an excellent platform for biological and material applications due to their unique physical and chemical properties. However, decreased colloidal stability and formation of irreversible aggregates while freeze-drying nanomaterials limit their use in real world applications. Here, we report a new generation of surface ligands based on a combination of short oligo (ethylene glycol) chains and zwitterions capable of providing nonfouling characteristics while maintaining colloidal stability and functionalization capabilities. Additionally, conjugation of these gold nanoparticles with avidin can help the development of a universal toolkit for further functionalization of nanomaterials.