Product Grant Program

A: The Cisco Product Grant Program is designed to provide access to networking technology for community-based nonprofit organizations (NPOs) operating in the US. In particular, Cisco seeks to support organizations with programs that either focus on improving the quality of education in our communities, and/or focus on meeting—through direct services—the basic needs of food, shelter, and health care. Please review the Cisco eligibility requirements to determine whether your organization is eligible to participate in the program.

A: There are 2 types of grants available: Custom Connectivity and Small - Mid Sized Standard Product Grants. Please refer to the Programs/Guidelines section of the PGP website for more information on each type.

A: Small - Mid Sized Standard Product Grants are administered through our online partner TechSoup.org. Through Techsoup Stock's intuitive shopping cart system, you can choose from a variety of pre-packaged Cisco Networking Bundles or individual products. Please visit Techsoup Cisco FAQ for information and eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements at the Techsoup site are essentially the same as the eligibility requirements found on this site.

A: Customized Connectivity Grants are available for complex or non-standard equipment packages to eligible US-based nonprofits. At this time, it is necessary to have a Cisco Sales Engineer (systems engineer) OR Cisco technical volunteer currently engaged OR willing and available to work directly with the nonprofit that is applying for the grant. The Cisco technical volunteer will work with the nonprofit to help identify its networking needs. Specific criteria for any non-standard product grants must be met before registration and approval can begin. To request a Cisco Volunteer to assist with your network planning, please use the Volunteer Connection Tool.

A: The application process begins with an eligibility quiz. To determine if your organization qualifies for a Customized Connectivity grant, please visit our eligibility test quiz.

A: The timeframe for evaluation of a Customized Connectivity grant is stated as six weeks. If approved, the product will then be ordered. Lead time for delivery of products can vary, but are typically from 3 - 6 weeks long, depending on the product.

A: We are pleased to announce TechSoup Global, a program designed jointly by TechSoup Stock and Cisco Systems. TechSoup Global helps nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or charities outside the U.S. and Canada obtain donations of essential technology products. For more information, please read the Cisco EMEA Product Donation Program section on Techsoup Stock's website.

A: Customized Connectivity Product Grants are suspended for non-US-based nonprofits. We are readying an online application form that will enable us to serve a far greater number of grant recipients, and we appreciate your patience until that tool is launched.

A: If your organization would like a Cisco technical volunteer to help identify your networking needs, we encourage you to apply for a Cisco Volunteer with our Volunteer Connection Tool.

A: The Cisco Product Grant Program donates to nonprofits. The program is currently NOT accepting grant applications from public and private schools K-12, colleges, or universities.

A: No, The Cisco Product Grant Program DOES NOT support sponsorships, Music Benefits, or fund raising events. We donate Cisco Networking products to 501(c)(3) organizations only.

A: In general we would not support a product donation to a museum, music school, ballets, operas or the arts in general. We support organizations that focus on basic needs (food, housing, and health care), and access to education. Unless an organization of this type submits a highly innovative proposal to provide educational enrichment to low income children or families, it's unlikely that we'd support a product grant to museums, aquariums, zoos, and other art institutions.

A: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Medical Clinics are eligible; hospital foundations are ineligible.

A: Unfortunately, the Product Grant Program does not loan equipment. We provide product grants to qualifying nonprofits.

A: A small administrative fee is charged for product distribution which amounts to six per cent of Cisco’s list price. The admin fee is dependent on the type and quantity of items ordered. The admin fee for all grants from TechSoup will be paid for by the non-profit. You can go to the TechSoup site and review the product list for more information about the admin fees for products. Some admin fees are as low at $15.00. Please visit the Cisco FAQ on the TechSoup site for more information on TSS guidelines and policies.

A: Unfortunately, the Product Grant Program only donates Cisco products. We do not donate PCs, printers, projectors or any other type of equipment. Nonprofit organizations and schools can contact the following organizations about computer donations:

TechSoup Stock
Through TechSoup Stock's Recycled Computer Initiative (RCI) Program, qualified nonprofits can choose from a range of high-quality refurbished computer systems. These Windows desktop and laptop computers from top manufacturers — including Dell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Compaq — are designed to meet rigorous corporate standards and are guaranteed to be in excellent working condition by our refurbisher partners.

Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT)
(408) 451-1420
San Jose-based nonprofit that accepts donated computers and sells them to K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations at a very reduced cost.

Computer Recycling Center
(408) 327-1800
Computers are accepted and donated to California public schools, educational programs and nonprofit organizations.

Gifts in Kind
(703) 836-2121
Provides quality products and services nonprofits need to continue improving lives and communities around the world.

A: We presently do not support donations of Linksys products at TechSoup. Please periodically check this website or TechSoup for further updates.

A: If you are interested in applying for a cash grant, please visit our cash grants section for more detailed information about our various grant programs.

A: Cisco SMARTnet support provides you rapid access to vital information and assistance when you need it, including,

• Registered access to Cisco.com for online tools and technical assistance
• Access to the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
• Cisco IOS Software updates
• Advance Replacement of failed hardware

For more information see the SMARTnet/SMARTnet Onsite Q&A page.

A: With all Cisco products, Cisco guarantees the repair and/or replacement of any Cisco product found to be defective. Warranties are limited in both the duration and the support they offer and they do not include Cisco TAC support or software updates. Elements covered under a Cisco warranty include: Hardware-this guarantees that the piece of hardware will be free of defects in material and workmanship under normal use or it will be replaced by Cisco at no charge to the customer. Software-this guarantees that the physical media is free from defects or it will be replaced by Cisco at no charge to the customer. In addition, the warranty guarantees the software generally conforms to the published specifications for the product. The warranty is explicitly "as is" and no new releases are included. For more details, see the link in #1 above.

A: Yes, once your product ships to you, Cisco automatically enrolls you for 5 years of SMARTnet support.

A: No. Linksys products get Linksys standard Warranty support. See the support tab on the Linksys website for details.

A: The answer will vary by Cisco model. Check the Cisco Product Identification Tool for specific instructions by model.

A: Once your SMARTnet contract is activated, you will receive a Welcome Kit in the mail that includes your new SMARTnet Contract Number, your inventory of products covered including serial numbers, and useful links to information and to open a case with Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC).

A: You may open a case online with a valid CCO ID and password; you can go to the Service Support Center to open a case or to browse the knowledge base of questions and answers.

A: Until all of your equipment has shipped and your SMARTnet contract is activated, you are entitled to Warranty Coverage. See question #2 for what is available with warranty coverage.

A: Some grantees may have received an email notification of a service extension. If after 4-6 weeks, you have not received a Welcome Kit, or if you have lost yours, you can first try to log into Service Contract Center (SCC) to search for your contract details. You can search by using your SMARTnet contract number, by any serial numbers that might be covered under your contract, or by the Cisco Sales Order Number (SO) that the equipment was ordered on. The Welcome Kits are being sent to the install site address in our contract records, so check to see if your install site address is correct. You can then follow the directions in SCC to update your contract online. If you cannot find your contract details, or if your contract was NOT extended to 5 years, as it should have been, then send a feedback form to the Cisco Product Grant team using our online contact form.

A: www.cisco.com is the link to Cisco Connection Online. There is an option to register along the top navigation menu.

A: Yes. Our Service Contract Center (SCC) site allows end users to manage their SMARTnet contracts online. You can view your contract details and even update your contract here. Also see the online e-Learning module on this site for instructions.

A: If any details of your contract or site are incorrect, you can go to the Service Contract Center (SCC) to update them. This includes the contact person in your organization that manages these types of service contracts as well as the Install Site address, serial numbers…. Note that if you ever receive an RMA from Cisco to replace hardware, you should go to SCC to remove the old serial number that you returned and replace it with the new one you received.

A: After this period, Cisco does recommend that you continue to purchase Cisco SMARTnet coverage on your own. You can do this by contacting a Cisco Reseller of SMARTnet service to get a quote. You can use the Partner Locator Tool at the Service Contract Center to find a reseller in your area.

A: When you received your donation from Cisco you signed a receipt acknowledgment form and in doing so agreed to return equipment that is no longer used via Cisco's Take Back and Recycle program. See the Take Back and Recycle for instructions.

"Furthermore, organizations receiving product grants are not allowed to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the donated property (or any portion thereof). Equipment that is no longer of use by the organization will be returned to Cisco Systems through the Environmental Stewardship Programs."

A: We can only donate SMARTnet in conjunction with an eligible product grant. End-users are responsible for obtaining their own Cisco support agreements for any other Cisco equipment they own.