Global Impact Cash Grant

The Cisco Foundation's Global Impact Cash Grant Program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that are innovating early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant global social issues. As part of Cisco’s broader social impact mission, the grant program focuses on fostering technology-driven initiatives that can scale efficiently to reach underserved populations worldwide. The Foundation seeks to identify projects that align with its key investment sectors—crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate resilience—and demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of life for communities facing the greatest need. Eligible applicants include organizations operating nationally or internationally, with U.S.-based applicants required to be recognized under IRS code 501(c)(3) as public charities. International organizations must provide documentation to demonstrate equivalent public charity status. All programs must serve a population that is at least 65 percent economically underserved, based on the average standards of the target geography. Additionally, proposals must align with one or more of Cisco’s investment areas and must illustrate a strategic use of information and communications technology to increase the reach and efficiency of services. Cisco prioritizes solutions that exhibit potential for replication and scalability and that aim to influence systemic change. The maximum funding request for first-time recipients is $75,000. The grant does not support general operating expenses (outside of program-specific costs), individuals, schools or scholarships, hospitals, healthcare programs, religious or political organizations (with exceptions for direct service programs by faith-based groups), or event sponsorships. Furthermore, Cisco rarely funds higher education institutions and does not support institutional overhead rates for such entities. Equipment purchases are also generally excluded unless applicants can prove strategic and innovative use that cannot be otherwise sourced via donations. Cisco enforces a strict policy against using grant funds for prohibited purposes such as proselytizing, political lobbying, or violence-promoting activities. The grant application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which Cisco accepts on a rolling basis. This initial submission determines whether the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal. Organizations selected for full proposal review must undergo board-level review and approval and will be required to certify that the proposal has been examined by at least one board officer or the chairperson. If invited, the full proposal must include SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) impact metrics and detailed plans for tracking performance via Cisco’s online grant platform. Although submissions are currently paused due to a platform transition, interested organizations are encouraged to revisit the program page in early 2026 for updates. After submission, decisions on LOIs or full proposals may take up to one business quarter. Approval to submit a full proposal does not guarantee funding, and Cisco reserves full discretion over all grant awards. Grantees will be required to sign a donation agreement electronically before receiving funds and must participate meaningfully in tracking progress using custom performance metrics. This requirement is critical for maintaining eligibility for future funding cycles. In evaluating applications, Cisco assesses alignment with its mission and strategic objectives, particularly the extent to which the program addresses unmet social challenges, serves economically disadvantaged populations, and leverages technology for broader and more efficient impact. Preference is given to proposals that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable beyond the Cisco-funded phase and that demonstrate exceptional leadership capacity. Although Cisco’s review criteria are rigorous, the organization encourages potential grantees to reach out with innovative concepts, especially those at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social equity.

Emphasize SMART impact metrics, underserved focus, tech-driven scale, and replicability potential.