Technology Grant Program

Cisco’s Technology Grant Program (TGP) provides in-kind donations of Cisco-branded technology to qualifying nonprofit and non-governmental organizations worldwide. The program is designed to help these organizations achieve improvements in productivity, security, scalability, and cost-efficiency by leveraging Cisco’s networking and communication technology. The TGP is part of Cisco’s broader social investment strategy, aligning with key focus areas including climate impact and regeneration, crisis response, economic empowerment, and education. There are two primary pathways for accessing Cisco's technology grants. For larger or more complex requests, nonprofits must apply through Cisco’s direct application process. This pathway is by invitation only and involves an introductory conversation, proposal development, submission through Cisco’s portal, and review by the TGP team. Grants are reviewed quarterly based on Cisco’s fiscal calendar. The maximum donation value for first-time recipients through this pathway is $100,000 (based on Cisco’s US Global List Price). This option supports custom-built product lists and includes hardware, software, licenses, and subscriptions. However, it does not cover installation, training, or consultancy. The second pathway is managed by Cisco's partner, TechSoup. This route is intended for smaller and more routine donations, and is available in select countries including the United States. TechSoup applications are processed independently of Cisco’s quarterly cycles and are subject to an administrative fee. These grants are capped at $50,000 in product value annually, limited to select Cisco products (e.g., certain Meraki hardware). Applications are submitted via the TechSoup platform and reviewed according to TechSoup's eligibility rules and local requirements. To qualify for either grant type, organizations must be recognized as public charities under U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status or must demonstrate equivalent status if located outside the United States. Applicants must serve the general community, maintain an overhead rate below 25%, and align their mission with Cisco’s social impact priorities. Institutions such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and arts programs are specifically excluded. Additionally, organizations with a recent or planned Cisco sales relationship (within six months before or after the application) are ineligible due to conflict-of-interest rules. Applications for Cisco-managed grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis, with cycles aligned to Cisco’s fiscal year: Q1 (Aug–Oct), Q2 (Nov–Jan), Q3 (Feb–Apr), and Q4 (May–Jul). There is no specific deadline listed; however, interested applicants must complete the Cisco TGP Contact Form to initiate the review process. Following initial vetting, eligible applicants are invited to formally submit their grant request through Cisco’s internal platform. Post-award, grantees must assume responsibility for any taxes, duties, customs clearance, and in-country delivery costs if outside the US, EU, Canada, or other specified regions. Most donations come with five-year licenses or support contracts to ensure sustainability. Transfer or resale of donated equipment is prohibited. For questions or assistance with the application process, organizations are directed to use the Cisco TGP Contact Form.