Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants
By Cisco
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Quick Answer
Grants of up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh) for first-time recipients: NGOs, including non-US NGOs, using technology to serve underserved people in crisis response, education, jobs or climate.
About this grant
Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants are given by Cisco and the Cisco Foundation to nonprofits and NGOs that run innovative, early-phase, technology-enabled programmes against a significant social problem. First-time grant recipients can ask for up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh). Applications are accepted all year, with no deadline, and the status on the row is active. NGOs outside the US can apply, but they must show that they are the equivalent of a US public charity. The grants are not for for-profit startups or individuals.
What the program offers
Cisco funds programmes in four areas. Crisis response covers essentials such as food, housing, secure connectivity and disaster relief. Education covers engagement, skills and capacity for students, teachers and schools. Economic opportunity covers skills, careers, entrepreneurship and access to financial products and services. Climate resilience covers climate education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection and clean energy. For education, crisis response and economic opportunity, proposals that address environmental sustainability within that area are also considered.
The maximum request for a first-time recipient is US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh). The source does not say what larger amounts are available to repeat recipients, how long a grant lasts or how the money is paid over time. Funded organisations must set their own success metrics in Cisco's online platform and track progress over the grant term, and a donation agreement is signed electronically before funds are delivered.
Who can apply
Nonprofits and NGOs that address a significant social problem can apply. US organisations must be recognised by the IRS as tax-exempt public charities. Non-US organisations must provide documents so that Cisco can decide whether they are equivalent to a US public charity. The page says the grants are aimed at organisations with national or multinational operations.
The programme must serve an audience that is more than 65% economically underserved, compared with the average standard of the target geography, and it must use information and communications technology to improve the reach and efficiency of its services. Overhead must not exceed 25%, with only rare case-by-case exceptions. Cisco does not fund general operating costs, individuals, research programmes, membership-based activities, healthcare programmes, hospitals, schools and scholarships, events and sponsorships, grant-making foundations, or religious, political and sectarian organisations. It generally does not fund hardware or software.
For an Indian NGO, this means you can apply if you can prove charity-equivalent status and run a technology-supported programme of scale. It suits established nonprofits with measurable programmes. It does not suit a for-profit startup, a single-city volunteer group, a school or a pure healthcare provider.
How to apply
Applications go through the Cisco Grants and Cash Donations portal. First take the Eligibility Quiz for NPOs and NGOs. If you pass, submit a Letter of Inquiry, which is a brief submission about your organisation, programme, the people it serves and your budget. If Cisco invites you, you then submit a full proposal. Paper or incomplete applications are not considered. A practical tip: prepare your success measures in the SMART form (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) before you start, since clear planned results get the highest priority.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Cisco reviews a Letter of Inquiry for up to one business quarter, about three months, and an invitation does not guarantee funding. For a full proposal, a decision is expected within one business quarter of submission. Applications are judged on whether they tackle a critical social challenge, the quality of their impact metrics, the share of underserved people served, innovative use of technology, a broad-impact approach, whether the programme can be replicated, scaled and sustained, and the strength of the leadership. All decisions are at the discretion of Cisco and the Cisco Foundation.
About Cisco and the Cisco Foundation
Cisco is a US networking company, and the Cisco Foundation is its philanthropic arm. Cisco and the Foundation jointly make the grant decisions and interpret the policies. The Foundation generally does not make grants to colleges and universities. The page gives few other details about the Foundation.
Things to check before you apply
- The board chair or at least one officer must review the proposal, and the board must know of and support the application.
- You must certify that your proposal is accurate and follows Cisco's published policies, and you may be reviewed. Serious inaccuracies can mean returning funds.
- Non-US organisations must prove charity-equivalent status, which takes documents and time. Indian NGOs should also check foreign-contribution rules and tax treatment with an adviser before applying. The source does not discuss them.
- Cisco is not responsible for proposal costs, and meeting the conditions does not guarantee a grant.
- The source does not state an application fee or any travel requirement.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Cisco for Startups is the startup programme of Cisco Systems, run through its India arm. It was previously called Cisco LaunchPad, and the application form still uses that name in one place. The programme gives startups mentors, access to Cisco technology and labs, a coworking…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
First-time grant recipients can request up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh) for a specific technology-enabled programme. Grantees sign a donation agreement and track agreed performance metrics on Cisco's grant platform over the life of the grant; continued funding depends on that reporting.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Cisco grant administrators review each Letter of Inquiry for fit with its four areas, the share of underserved people served, innovative use of technology, measurable SMART metrics, scalability and leadership. Aligned applicants are invited to submit a full proposal, which is decided within about one business quarter. All grants are at the discretion of Cisco and the Cisco Foundation.
Application Process
- 1
Eligibility quiz
Take the eligibility quiz on Cisco's grants portal.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian NGOs apply for Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants?
Yes, organisations outside the US can apply if they provide documents showing they are the equivalent of a US public charity. Cisco says the grants are aimed at organisations with national or multinational operations. They must meet the same programme, overhead and policy requirements as US applicants.
Who can apply for Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants?
Nonprofits and NGOs running programmes in crisis response, education, economic opportunity or climate resilience can apply. More than 65% of the people served must be economically underserved, and the programme must use technology to improve its reach. For-profit companies and individuals are not eligible.
How much can we ask for?
First-time grant recipients can request up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh). The source does not state amounts for repeat grantees.
Is there a deadline for Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants?
No. Cisco accepts applications year-round. A Letter of Inquiry can take up to one business quarter (about three months) to review, and a full proposal gets a decision within about another quarter.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is a cash grant to a nonprofit. The source mentions no equity. A donation agreement must be signed electronically before funds are delivered.
What will Cisco not fund?
General operating expenses not tied to the programme, individuals, research programmes, healthcare programmes, hospitals, schools and scholarships, events and sponsorships, grant-making foundations, and religious, political or sectarian organisations. It also generally does not fund computer hardware or software.
Do we need board approval and what documents are needed?
Yes. The board chair or at least one officer must review the proposal, and the board must know of and support it. Non-US organisations also provide documents showing charity-equivalent status. The source does not give a full document checklist.
How is the grant paid?
The source does not describe the payment schedule or currency. It says a donation agreement is signed electronically before funds are delivered, and funded organisations track progress against metrics in Cisco's online platform.
Do I have to travel, and is it free to apply?
The source mentions no travel requirement and no application fee. Applications are made online through Cisco's portal, and paper applications are not considered. It adds that Cisco is not responsible for proposal-related costs.
When will I hear back after applying?
A Letter of Inquiry can take up to one business quarter, about three months, to review. If you are invited and submit a full proposal, a decision is expected within about one business quarter. An invitation does not guarantee funding.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
