Grantmaking Criteria

When Cisco evaluates grant proposals, our goal is to partner with nonprofit organizations that maximize the impact of the assets we have to offer, thereby nurturing the development of successful, self-sustaining individuals and vibrant communities around the globe. To that end, we give highest priority for consideration and funding to proposals that can clearly articulate the planned impact of their efforts, as well as the metrics by which that impact would be measured.

Provided below are the criteria we use to evaluate a grant proposal. We believe these values are the key to maximizing our positive impact on the community.

The program addresses a problem that affects a large number of lives within the target area, and which has severe effects on the lives of individuals and communities within the target area. The significant unmet need exists due to a gap between current and required funding, and/or the need for innovative approaches.

The target audience is greater than 65% economically underserved, relative to the average standards of the target geography.

The program uses the internet and/or internet-based communications technology to improve the efficiency and reach of program services.

The program provides an innovative solution that creates an opportunity for significant impact beyond the direct benefits of specific Cisco-funded activities. For example:

• Market effects due to major shift in economics/productivity/effectiveness.
• Ability to catalyze behavior of other key agents or partners in ecosystem to achieve an order of magnitude more together than apart.

The design of the program allows for it to be easily and cost effectively reproduced/duplicated for use in local environments around the globe.

The design of the program allows it to expand to meet the needs of the target population without a nearly equivalent investment of resources for each individual or group.

The long-term plan for the program includes mechanisms by which it can flourish significantly beyond the resources which will be provided by Cisco.

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 that 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 a lack of skill, not having enough resources (computers, tools, etc.), not having access to key people and not having management support.
• Timely: Descriptions of Metrics should include timescales of what is required by when. This may also include details of delivery, stating (if relevant) where Metrics are to be completed. Giving a time scale adds appropriate sense of urgency and ensures that the Metrics do not dribble out over an unreasonably long timescale.

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.

• Program meets basic criteria, guidelines, requirements of Cisco grant programs
• Program fits into at least one investment area: Critical Human Needs, Access to Education, Economic Empowerment
• Program leverages the internet
• Program serves the underserved
• Program has the potential to leverage the breadth of Cisco resources and assets (i.e., products, Cisco employees, partner ecosystems, etc.) for maximum value added