Cisco 2022 Global Impact Cash Grant Program

Cisco welcomes applications for Global Impact Cash Grants from community partners around the world who share our vision and offer an innovative approach to a critical social challenge.

We identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions with the most impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We’re looking for programs that fit within our investment areas, serve the underserved, and leverage technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services. We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. An initial information form is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application.

• Table of Content
• About Cisco
• Global Impact Cash Grant Program
• Aim and Benefits of Global Impact Cash Grant Program
• Requirements for Global Impact Cash Grant Program Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Cisco

Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California, in the center of Silicon Valley. Cisco develops, manufactures and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products Cisco Systems was founded in December 1984 by Sandy Lerner, a director of computer facilities for the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Lerner partnered with her husband, Leonard Bosack, who was in charge of the Stanford University computer science department's computers. The annual Cisco Global Pr... continue reading

Global Impact Cash Grant Program

Aim and Benefits of Global Impact Cash Grant Program

Cisco’s cash and product grant programs help nonprofits apply digital technology to have the broadest impact in some of the most economically underserved parts of the world.

The maximum request amount for first-time grant recipients is US$75,000.

Requirements for Global Impact Cash Grant Program Qualification

Organizational requirements:

• Organizations within the United States must be recognized by the IRS as tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3), and classified by the IRS as a public charity.
• Organizations from outside the U.S. must provide information and documents to determine whether the organization is the equivalent of a U.S. public charity.
• Organizations to be funded must serve an audience greater than 65 percent economically underserved relative to the average standards of the target geography.
• Organizations and programs must focus on at least one of our social investment areas: crisis response, access to education, or economic empowerment."
• For each of these three investment areas, we will also consider proposals that address environmental sustainability within the context of that investment area. For example, we would consider funding an economic empowerment program that specifically focuses on creating green jobs.
• A nonprofit organization's overhead is not to exceed 25 percent. (Organizations are occasionally exempt from this requirement; however, they must be exceptionally aligned with Cisco's values and criteria, and they must clearly explain and justify their overhead costs. Exemptions to the requirement on overhead expenses are determined on a case-by-case basis.). Cisco Foundation does not tend to make grants to colleges and universities. In the case that such a grant may be made, Cisco Foundation does not support additional institutional overhead rates for colleges and universities.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Global Impact Cash Grants multiply the impact of eligible organizations around the globe with national or multinational operations. We welcome applications from community partners who share our vision and offer an innovative approach with potential for broad impact.

Step 1: Eligibility quiz

The eligibility quiz will help you determine whether your organization and program are aligned with Cisco's mission, strategic approach, and objectives for grant support.

Take the eligibility quiz.

Step 2: Initial information form

Eligible organizations will be invited to register and complete the online initial information form. This form requests detailed information about your organization, the program you expect to fund, population served, and your budget.

Step 3: Full proposal

If a Cisco grant administrator determines that your organization's program is aligned with Cisco's mission, strategic approach, and objectives for grant support, you will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal with an invitation code to the online application. If further information is needed, you will be contacted by a grant administrator. You can expect to hear from a grant administrator within one business quarter.

For more details, visit Cisco website.