Investment Areas

Cisco Global Impact Cash grants focus on underserved populations worldwide, working in the three focus areas elaborated upon below. A list of selected partner organizations and selected examples of programs funded by Cisco are available on the Community Partners section of this website.

Cisco supports the creation and deployment of strategic technology-based solutions and enhanced education delivery models that accelerate learning and enable children (age 5-19) to master a baseline of educational knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The rationale behind this approach is that these skills will provide children with the foundation to succeed beyond school into the workforce. In line with Cisco's overall grantmaking philosophy, Cisco focuses particularly on underserved populations and those students at greatest risk of dropping out.

Cisco investments support innovative solutions which increase capacity, allowing grantee organizations to deliver, administer, and track education development more effectively and efficiently. To this end, Cisco funds the design and development of tools which increase the availability of, or improve access to, products and/or services for curriculum development, student-centricity, teacher development, and parental participation. Cisco does not provide direct funding to schools.

Learn more and see our community partners in this area.

Cisco's strategy is to encourage employment success, entrepreneurship, and long-term self-sufficiency by providing access to skills, knowledge, and financial products and services via technology-based solutions. Target beneficiaries are underserved populations transitioning from education to workforce, or re-entry to workforce. Cisco's investments in technology solutions facilitate widespread and equitable access to resources that people in poverty need to achieve sustained economic self-sufficiency, and participate in socio-economic development in their communities.

Access to financial products and services investments focus on addressing the technology and human capital constraints to increase the reach, efficiency, sustainability, transparency and social impact of microfinance institutions (MFIs). We also support initiatives that provide access to knowledge and (technical and leadership) skills upgrading for individuals and entrepreneurs, so people are equipped for the workforce and can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.

Learn more and see our community partners in this area.

Cisco seeks to help overcome the cycle of poverty and dependence through strategic investments that enhance the capacity of organizations that successfully address basic needs of underserved communities. The rationale behind this strategy and approach is that children who have good health and a place to call home are better equipped to learn. Cisco's investments support programs with innovative solutions which increase capacity, allowing the grantee organization to deliver its products and/or services more effectively and efficiently. Cisco also supports the design and implementation of web-based tools which increase the availability of, or improve access to, products and/or services that are necessary for people to survive and thrive. Within Cisco's framework, the critical human needs investment area includes clean water, food, shelter, and disaster response. Cisco investments support programs that provide these and other essential prerequisites to self-sufficiency.

When appropriate, Cisco makes grants in response to acute needs, such as natural disasters and humanitarian crises. In the past, Cisco has provided support through organizations such as the American Red Cross, Save the Children, CARE, and NetHope, to provide relief to people affected by the Japan earthquake and Tsunami, famine in the Horn of Africa, Haiti earthquake, and storms/floods in the U.S. By policy we tend to confine our response campaigns to significant natural disaster situations, as opposed to those caused by human conflict.

Learn more and see our community partners in this area.