About the Organization
Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals.
About the Grant
Cisco welcomes applications for Global Impact Cash Grants from social impact partners around the world who share our vision and offer an innovative approach to a critical social challenge.
We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We’re looking for programs that fit within our investment areas, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.
Cisco’s cash and product grant programs help community organizations apply digital technology so they can have the broadest impact in some of the most economically underserved parts of the world.
Eligibility
Global Impact Cash Grants multiply the impact of eligible organizations around the globe with national or multinational operations. Before applying, invited NPOs/NGOs can determine their eligibility by reviewing the requirements below:
Organizational requirements:
- Organizations within the United States must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (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 United States 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, education, economic empowerment, and/or climate impact and regeneration.
- For education, crisis response, and economic empowerment proposals, 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.
- An 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.
- The maximum request amount for first-time grant recipients is US$75,000.
How to Apply
We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application.
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