Community Impact Cash Grants

Cisco accepts Community Impact Cash Grant proposals from qualifying organizations on an annual basis. Organizations whose mission and programs align with the Community Impact Cash Grant Investment Areas may be invited to apply for a grant. These strategic grants are awarded to organizations that have visionary leadership, demonstrated success in responding to community need and are innovative and responsive in their approach. Ideal candidates are able to layer Cisco resources including employees and technology to maximize impact in the local community.

In the spirit of the Silicon Valley Impact Grants program which has been integrated into the Community Impact Cash Grants program, Cisco will continue to accept grant proposals through an alternative Open Application Process for Silicon Valley that is available for a limited period annually. During this time, organizations may submit a grant proposal to Cisco for consideration based on targeted subsets of our standard investment areas for Community Impact Cash Grants. Please see the table below for details on the Open Application Process for Silicon Valley.

The following general steps apply to both the strategic invitation process, and the open application process for Silicon Valley. Cisco will provide application instructions to select organizations participating in the strategic invitation process.

Step 1: Review the Investment Areas, Grantmaking Criteria, and Eligibility and Policies

Organizations must review the Investment Areas, Grantmaking Criteria, and Eligibility and Policies requirements to determine if the organization and program align with the Community Impact Cash Grants program.

Step 2: Eligibility Quiz and Get in Touch

Any organization interested in submitting an application for consideration may complete the online Eligibility Quiz. The quiz helps to assess if an organization meets the basic criteria, guidelines and requirements as defined for the Community Impact Cash Grant program. Please note, completing and passing the Eligibility Quiz does not automatically qualify an organization to submit an Initial Information Form or full grant proposal application. Take the Eligibility Quiz now. If your organization aligns with the Community Impact Cash Grant Investment Areas and you have successfully completed the Eligibility Quiz, you will be directed to contact Cisco to make yourself known.

Step 3: Initial Information Form

Your contact information will be forwarded to the appropriate regional representative for review and consideration. If there is an opportunity for a strategic partnership, your organization may be contacted to submit a preliminary request for funding via our Initial Information Form (IIF). The purpose of the IIF is to evaluate whether your organization and/or program should be considered for funding.

During the open application process for Silicon Valley, organizations who successfully complete the Eligibility Quiz will not need to submit an IIF and will be directed to the Online Proposal Application.

Submission of the IIF does not guarantee that an organization will be invited to submit a formal proposal via an online application. IIFs are reviewed wholly within the discretion of Cisco and the Cisco Foundation.

Step 4: Online Proposal Application

Upon review of the organization's IIF, Cisco determines if the organization and its program is aligned with Cisco's mission, strategic approach, and objectives for grant support. If the IIF is approved, the organization will receive an invitation to submit an online proposal application, along with an invitation code for the relevant proposal type. Once the full proposal is submitted, the application will begin the formal review process. If further information is needed, the organization will be contacted by Cisco. An organization can expect to hear from Cisco whether a grant proposal has been approved or rejected within three to four months from submission.

An organization receiving a request from Cisco to submit an online proposal application does not constitute a guarantee of funding. Furthermore, Cisco is not responsible for any related expenses incurred by the organization, at any step in the grant process. Grant policies and requirements are subject to change without notice, and become effective immediately upon posting to this site. The interpretation of these policies is wholly within the discretion of Cisco and the Cisco Foundation. Furthermore, all grants are made at the discretion of Cisco and the Cisco Foundation. Qualification under the policies listed on this site does not entitle an organization to receive a grant. Cisco reserves the right to decline any grant requested.
 

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