Grantmaking Criteria

Cisco’s goal is to partner with organizations that maximize the impact of the assets offered, thereby nurturing the development of healthy, self-sustaining, civic-minded communities around the globe. To that end, the highest priority and funding consideration is given to proposals that can clearly articulate the planned impact of their efforts, as well as the metrics by which that impact will be measured.

Listed below are the criteria used to evaluate a grant opportunity. These values are key to maximizing positive impact in the community.

The organization addresses a problem that affects a large number of lives within the target area, and which has detrimental effects on the lives of individuals within that community. The significant unmet need requires urgent action.

The target audience of the program includes economically underserved populations relative to the average standards of the target geography. A minimum of 50 percent of the constituency served by the organization must be economically underserved. The higher the percentage of underserved, the higher the likelihood of receiving funding.

Community Impact Cash Grants do not necessarily require the program to be funded to include greater use of the Internet; however priority is given to organizations that incorporate technology in the delivery and reach of services.

The program defines and utilizes SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) metrics in order to help Cisco and the grantee measure progress towards success.

• Specific: Specific metrics are clear and well-defined. This helps both the grantee and the grantor, as the grantee knows what is expected of them and the grantor is able to monitor and assess actual performance against the specific metrics.
• Measurable: Progress toward metrics often needs to be to be monitored while work is underway. It is important to know when that work has been done as the metrics are completed. A measurable metric achieves this end.
• Achievable: Achievable metrics ensure that everything is in place and if the grantee does not reach the goals, they cannot reasonably point the finger elsewhere.
• Realistic: Metrics should be realistic. A metric will often fail for a number of reasons including lack of skill and/or resources (computers, tools, etc.), not having access to key people and not having management support.
• Timely: Descriptions of metrics should include a time frame of what is required by when. This may also include details of delivery, stating (if relevant) where metrics are to be completed. Providing a time frame adds an appropriate sense of urgency and ensures the metrics do not dribble out over an unreasonably long time frame.

The organization has an outstanding leader and/or management team with qualities such as vision, execution ability, passion, ethical approach, expertise, external relationships, and credible track record in the relevant area.

The organization meets the basic criteria, guidelines and requirements as defined for Cisco's Community Impact Cash Grant program.