Cisco Foundation

The Cisco Foundation was established in 1997 by a gift from Cisco. We make strategic grants to programs with long-lasting impact on a local, national, and global scale. We also empower employees to give more through our matching gifts program.

The Cisco Foundation supports Cisco's efforts to team with NPO/NGO organizations around the world to develop technology-based solutions focused on critical human needs, access to education, and economic empowerment. We focus this work on underserved communities and look for solutions that harness the power of the Internet and communications technology.

A distinct legal entity, the Cisco Foundation makes cash grants globally and in markets where Cisco has a significant business presence, with criteria and guidelines that are aligned with Cisco's overall nonprofit investment strategy. We invite you to review our three investment areas -- education, economic empowerment, and critical human needs -- as well as our major Community Partners, to get a sense of the breadth and depth of our grantmaking activities. The Cisco Foundation also funds Cisco's employee Matching Gifts program, including special disaster and hunger relief drives, thereby doubling the impact of qualifying employee contributions of money and volunteer hours. 

For cash grants, Cisco's Global and Community Impact Cash Grants support non-profit and non-government organizations working in the investment areas specified under each of those programs. For product grants, Cisco accepts unsolicited applications from a wide range of qualifying community organizations. Please note that all product grants are funded by Cisco corporate, not the Foundation.

Larry Carter, former Chief Financial Officer, Cisco
Carlos Dominguez, Senior Vice President, Cisco
Patrick Finn, Senior Vice President, Cisco
Karen McFadzen, Vice President, Cisco
John Morgridge, Chairman Emeritus, Cisco
Randy Pond, Executive Vice President, Cisco
Mike Quinn, Vice President, Cisco
Michael Veysey, Director, Cisco
Tae Yoo, Senior Vice President, Cisco

Download the Cisco Systems Foundation's IRS 990PF reports in PDF format:
FY2011 FY2010 FY2009 FY2008 FY2007 FY2006 FY2005 FY2004
FY2003 FY2002 FY2001 FY2000 FY1999 FY1998 FY1997

Most questions we receive are answered within our web pages. We encourage you to explore our site, both to look for an answer and to get a broader sense of our activity in the community. If you still have a question or would like to make a comment about the Cisco Foundation, please contact us.