Application Process

Cisco accepts Community Impact Cash Grant proposals from qualifying organizations on an annual basis through the 1) Invitation Only Process with Community Relations and Civic Council and the 2) Open Application Process for Silicon Valley.

1) Invitation Only Process with Community Relations and Civic Council
Organizations whose mission and programs align with the Community Impact Cash Grants Investment Areas, Grantmaking Criteria, and Eligibility and Policies requirements may be invited by Community Relations or Civic Council to apply for a grant. These grants are awarded to organizations in Bangalore, India; Boxborough, Massachusetts; Lawrenceville, Georgia; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Richardson, Texas; San Jose, California; Shanghai/Beijing, China; Toronto, Canada; and other Cisco locations with a Civic Council. Ideal candidates have visionary leadership, demonstrated success in responding to community need, are innovative and responsive in their approach, and are able to layer Cisco resources including employees and technology to maximize impact in the local community.

Organizations interested in making themselves known to Community Relations or Civic Councils for grant consideration should first complete the online Pre Eligibility Quiz to assess if they satisfy the basic conditions of the Community Impact Cash Grants program. NOTE: passing the Pre Eligibility Quiz and completing the Contact Us form does not automatically qualify an organization for grant consideration. The form simply alerts Cisco of an organization’s grant interest.

2) Open Application Process for Silicon Valley
The Silicon Valley Impact Grants program has been integrated into the Community Impact Cash Grants. Cisco accepts grant proposals from Bay Area organizations through the Open Application Process for Silicon Valley during 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 Open Application Process for Silicon Valley table below for details.

The following general grant application steps apply to both the 1) Invitation Only Process with Community Relations and Civic Council and the 2) Open Application Process for Silicon Valley.

Step 1: Review the Investment Areas, Grantmaking Criteria, and Eligibility and Policies
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
Complete the online Eligibility Quiz emailed to the organization by Community Relations or Civic Council to assess if an organization meets the basic criteria, guidelines and requirements as defined for the Community Impact Cash Grants program.

During the Open Application Process for Silicon Valley, the Eligibility Quiz will be posted on the Open Application Process for Silicon Valley table below. Please see the Open Application Process for Silicon Valley table below for details.

Step 3: Initial Information Form
Successful completion of the Eligibility Quiz will result in a preliminary request for funding via the Initial Information Form (IIF). The purpose of the IIF is to evaluate whether the organization and/or program should be considered for funding. 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.

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. Please see the Open Application Process for Silicon Valley table below for details.

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.

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.

For a limited period annually, Cisco accepts qualifying grant proposals from Bay Area organizations for consideration based on targeted subsets of our standard investment areas for Community Impact Cash Grants.