Cisco – Global Impact Cash Grants Program
Supporting Technology-Driven Solutions for Underserved Communities Worldwide
Cisco’s Global Impact Cash Grants program supports nonprofit organizations and NGOs developing innovative, technology-enabled solutions to critical social challenges. Grants are designed to identify, incubate, and scale early-stage programs with strong potential for broad, measurable impact—particularly for economically underserved populations.
Organization: Cisco / Cisco Foundation
Support Type: Cash grants
Geographic Focus: Global (national or multinational organizations)
About the Funder
Cisco is a global technology leader committed to powering an inclusive future for all. Through the Cisco Foundation and its social impact investments, Cisco supports organizations that use technology to increase the reach, efficiency, and scalability of services addressing urgent global challenges.
Investment Areas
Global Impact Cash Grants support programs that focus on at least one of the following areas and serve predominantly underserved populations:
- Crisis Response
Technology-enabled solutions that improve preparedness, response, or recovery for communities facing emergencies or humanitarian crises. - Education
Programs that expand access to education or improve learning outcomes using innovative technology approaches. - Economic Empowerment
Initiatives that increase economic opportunity, livelihoods, or workforce participation— including programs focused on green jobs and environmentally sustainable economic pathways. - Climate Impact & Regeneration
Solutions addressing climate challenges through technology-enabled, scalable approaches (note: separate pathways exist for nonprofit grants and for-profit climate investments).
For education, crisis response, and economic empowerment proposals, Cisco may also consider projects that integrate environmental sustainability within those focus areas.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Nonprofit Status
- U.S. organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charities
- Non-U.S. organizations must demonstrate equivalency to a U.S. public charity
- Underserved Focus
- Funded programs must serve more than 65% economically underserved populations relative to the target geography
- Technology-Enabled
- Programs must make innovative use of information and communications technology to improve reach, efficiency, or impact
- Scale & Reach
- Organizations must have national or multinational operations
- Financial Structure
- Organizational overhead should not exceed 25% (exceptions considered case-by-case with strong justification)
- Maximum first-time grant request: $75,000
Ineligible Requests
Cisco does not fund:
- General operating support (outside direct program costs)
- Individuals or membership-based activities
- Research programs
- Healthcare delivery or mental/physical health programs
- Schools, universities, scholarships, or school-based fundraising
- Events, conferences, sponsorships, or fundraising activities
- Capital campaigns or grant-making organizations
- Religious, political, or sectarian organizations (with limited direct-service exceptions)
Cisco generally does not fund hardware or software purchases unless they are used in a clearly innovative way and all in-kind alternatives have been exhausted.
Application Process
Cisco uses a multi-step, invitation-based process:
- Eligibility Review
Organizations should first review Cisco’s investment areas and grant policies to confirm strong alignment. - Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
Eligible organizations may be invited to submit an online LOI, which is used to determine whether a full proposal will be requested.
LOI review may take up to one business quarter (3 months). - Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)
Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full application. Funding decisions typically occur within one business quarter after submission.
⚠️ Important Note:
Submissions for nonprofit climate, education, crisis response, and economic empowerment grants are currently paused due to a platform transition. Organizations are encouraged to check back in early 2026 when submissions reopen.
Reporting & Accountability
Funded organizations must:
- Sign an electronic grant agreement
- Track progress using Cisco’s online grant platform
- Report against SMART performance metrics throughout the grant period
- Comply with Cisco’s grant-giving and compliance policies
Application / Learn More
Full program details, policies, and updates are available on Cisco’s website.
➡️ Apply / Learn More:
https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/social-impact/investments/global-impact-cash-grants.html
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is best suited for organizations that:
- Serve predominantly underserved populations
- Use technology as a core driver of impact
- Offer scalable, replicable solutions to major social challenges
- Have strong leadership, measurable outcomes, and potential for systems-level change
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Review Type: Rolling (LOI by invitation; full proposal by invitation)
- Maximum First-Time Award: $75,000
- Primary Focus Areas: Crisis response, education, economic empowerment, climate impact
- Best Suited For: Tech-enabled nonprofits with national or global reach and strong impact metrics
