Silicon Valley Impact Grants

Following are the policies for the Silicon Valley Impact Grant program.

Limit on Consecutive Funding

Organizations who have received Silicon Valley Impact Cash Grants the past 3 consecutive years ('07, '08, '09) are not eligible to apply for either a new program or funding of an existing program in 2010. Please reference the grant recipients page to determine your eligibility. Your organization will be eligible to apply again in 2011.

Policy on the Funding of Equipment

In general, we do not fund the purchase of computer hardware or software, but may consider doing so only in cases where: 1) such resources are leveraged in a strategically innovative manner, thereby extending their impact well beyond everyday/staff use; AND 2) such resources are not available through other, more cost-effective means such as in-kind donation. Applicants must demonstrate that they have thoroughly explored such avenues without success.

Policy on Non-Discrimination

Cisco does not promote or discriminate against any person, population group, or organization with regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, physical appearance, language, education background, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by applicable United States law. In accordance with this policy, Cisco does not knowingly support grantee organizations that (1) discriminate in their provision of service - even if the particular program for which funds are requested does not discriminate along these lines; and/or (2) discriminate in hiring and/or employment practices. Organizations that are found to discriminate in their provision of service and/or hiring based on any of these or other criteria may be required to return any grant awards, and may be rendered ineligible for future support.

Policy on Religious Proselytizing

Cisco is committed to providing an open, diverse, and nondenominational working environment. We will not support any program which requires exposure, adherence to, or conversion to any religious doctrine in order to be a beneficiary of the program. To clarify, a direct service program run by a faith-based organization may be eligible, provided that the program's beneficiaries are not encouraged or required to learn about, adhere to, or convert to that organization's religious doctrine as a condition of receiving service from the program.

Policy on Non-Support of Violence and Terrorism

It is our mission to fund nonpartisan service organizations that adhere rigorously to fundamental human rights principles. We do not knowingly support grantee organizations that endorse, support, or promote violence, terrorist activity, or related training, whether through their own activities or indirectly through their support of, support by, or cooperation with, other persons and organizations engaged in such activities. We require our grantees to confirm that they do not engage in or support such activities, and we vet potential grantees with care. If a grantee appears to be in violation of this policy, we will suspend funding immediately and require the grantee to freeze grant funds until we have investigated the matter. If our investigation discloses violations of this policy, we will require the grantee to return all grant funds; we will classify the grantee as ineligible for future funding; and we will take such other steps as the law may require.

Policy on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Other Political Activity

Cisco's policy with respect to providing grant support to organizations that engage in advocacy and/or lobbying is subject to our diversity policy. This policy states that Cisco does not promote or discriminate against any person, population group, or organization with regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by applicable United States law. In accordance with this policy, Cisco will not provide grant support to any organization that advocates or lobbies against any such protected category.

Furthermore, in order to avoid actual or apparent preferences for any protected or non-protected category over another, Cisco may reject grant support to any organization that lobbies or advocates for or against any single person, population group, organization, or cause/issue (e.g., political position, policy, law/legislation, etc.).

In addition, grantees that are classified as charitable organizations under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code must certify to Cisco that they comply with applicable law regarding limits on their lobbying activity and that they do not engage in prohibited electioneering activity. Finally, Cisco does not permit its grant funds to be applied to any individual program of a grantee that involves any type of lobbying or other political activity.

Note: "Lobbying" is defined in Section 4945(e) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to mean attempts to influence legislation through grassroots lobbying of the public or direct lobbying of government officials. Certain exceptions exist (e.g., for nonpartisan analysis or invited testimony). "Legislation" includes all matters that may be voted upon by the U.S. Senate or House of Representations, a state legislature, a local city or county council, an Indian tribal body, or a legislative body in a foreign nation, including votes taken by a committee of such body. Such matters may include votes to approve executive or judicial appointments of public officials as well as new laws or repeal of existing laws. "Legislation" also includes laws voted upon by the people in an initiative, referendum or other vote taken within a national, state, or local area.

"Political" refers to any payment made or action taken, directly or indirectly, to influence the outcome of any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office, including oral or written statements. Such activity is prohibited for tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Policy on Reviews of Accuracy/Compliance

All applicants are subject to reviews of their representations in their grant applications, their compliance with the policies stated above, and, if applicable, their adherence to the terms of the grant contract. If such a review reveals significant inaccuracies or violations of the policies stated above, or if an organization does not cooperate with the review, the organization may be required to return any granted assets and forfeit future funding eligibility.

Written Grant Contract

Grantee organizations are required to sign a written grant contract before payments can be made.

Reporting and Performance Tracking

As noted in the program overview, we look for grant proposals in which concrete measures of success can be used to assess performance. We view our grants as an investment in the community and require an evaluation of programs funded to be provided to us. An email notification with a link to an on-line reporting tool will be sent to the organization approximately 7 months after grant is awarded. Evaluation will cover performance metrics set by NGO at time of application for the project to measure performance metrics and "to date" progress.

Miscellaneous Policies

Please be sure you have reviewed the most recent criteria available on this website, and that you are using our online application form. We regret that we cannot accept legacy paper forms. Application guidelines and requirements are subject to change without notice, and become effective immediately upon posting to this web site. The interpretation and application 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 above does not entitle an organization to receive a grant. We reserve the right to decline to make any grant requested.