Cisco Eligibility & Policies

Organization Classification

Organizations from outside the U.S. must (a) provide information and documents to determine whether the organization is the equivalent of a U.S. public charity.

Overhead Percentage

As a rule, Cisco does not fund organizations or programs whose overhead expenses exceed 25%. Organizations or programs whose overhead costs exceed our stated limit are occasionally exempt from this requirement; however, they must be exceptionally aligned with our values and criteria, and they must clearly explain and justify their overhead costs. Exemptions to the requirement on overhead expenses are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Ineligible Programs and/or Activities

Miscellaneous exclusions: general operating expenses, other than directly associated with the program itself; individuals; research programs; membership-based activities; programs that promote or serve one culture, race, religion, population group, or political viewpoint - rather than the community at large; religious, political, or sectarian organizations (some exceptions apply. See our "Policy on Religious Proselytizing" below).

Schools and scholarships: Private, public, or charter schools; school foundations, booster clubs, and/or fundraising organizations affiliated with a particular school; colleges/universities; scholarships, stipends or loans within a program; and/or school-related activities such as field trips, research programs, etc.

Events: athletic events, competitions, tournaments; conferences, seminars, workshops; festivals, field trips, or other recreational events; fundraising events or sponsorships (benefit dinners, walks/runs, concerts, sports teams, etc.)

Philanthropic: capital building funds, challenge grants, grant-making organizations (all other foundations including private foundations, family foundations, school foundations, etc.)

Policy on Non-Discrimination

Cisco does not promote or discriminate against any person, population group, or organization with regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, physical appearance, language, education background, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by applicable United States law. In accordance with this policy, Cisco does not knowingly support grantee organizations that (1) discriminate in their provision of service - even if the particular program for which funds are requested does not discriminate along these lines; and/or (2) discriminate in hiring and/or employment practices. Organizations that are found to discriminate in their provision of service and/or hiring based on any of these or other criteria may be required to return any grant awards, and may be rendered ineligible for future support.

Policy on Religious Proselytizing

Cisco is committed to providing an open, diverse, and nondenominational working environment. We will not support any program which requires exposure, adherence to, or conversion to any religious doctrine in order to be a beneficiary of the program. To clarify, a direct service program run by a faith-based organization may be eligible, provided that the program's beneficiaries are not encouraged or required to learn about, adhere to, or convert to that organization's religious doctrine as a condition of receiving service from the program.

Policy on Non-Support of Violence and Terrorism

It is our mission to fund nonpartisan service organizations that adhere rigorously to fundamental human rights principles. We do not knowingly support grantee organizations that endorse, support, or promote violence, terrorist activity, or related training, whether through their own activities or indirectly through their support of, support by, or cooperation with, other persons and organizations engaged in such activities. We require our grantees to confirm that they do not engage in or support such activities, and we vet potential grantees with care. If a grantee appears to be in violation of this policy, we will suspend funding immediately and require the grantee to freeze grant funds until we have investigated the matter. If our investigation discloses violations of this policy, we will require the grantee to return all grant funds; we will classify the grantee as ineligible for future funding; and we will take such other steps as the law may require.

Policy on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Other Political Activity

Cisco's policy with respect to providing grant support to organizations that engage in advocacy and/or lobbying is subject to our diversity policy. This policy states that Cisco does not promote or discriminate against any person, population group, or organization with regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by applicable United States law. In accordance with this policy, Cisco will not provide grant support to any organization that advocates or lobbies against any such protected category.

Furthermore, in order to avoid actual or apparent preferences for any protected or non-protected category over another, Cisco may reject grant support to any organization that lobbies or advocates for or against any single person, population group, organization, or cause/issue (e.g., political position, policy, law/legislation, etc.).

In addition, grantees that are classified as charitable organizations under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code must certify to Cisco that they comply with applicable law regarding limits on their lobbying activity and that they do not engage in prohibited electioneering activity. Finally, Cisco does not permit its grant funds to be applied to any individual program of a grantee that involves any type of lobbying or other political activity.

Note: "Lobbying" is defined in Section 4945(e) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to mean attempts to influence legislation through grassroots lobbying of the public or direct lobbying of government officials. Certain exceptions exist (e.g., for nonpartisan analysis or invited testimony). "Legislation" includes all matters that may be voted upon by the U.S. Senate or House of Representations, a state legislature, a local city or county council, an Indian tribal body, or a legislative body in a foreign nation, including votes taken by a committee of such body. Such matters may include votes to approve executive or judicial appointments of public officials as well as new laws or repeal of existing laws. "Legislation" also includes laws voted upon by the people in an initiative, referendum or other vote taken within a national, state, or local area.

"Political" refers to any payment made or action taken, directly or indirectly, to influence the outcome of any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office, including oral or written statements. Such activity is prohibited for tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Policy on Board Review and Approval

We require applicants to certify that the chairperson or at least one officer of the organization's Board of Directors has reviewed the grant proposal and that the organization's board is aware of the application and supports its submission. We also require applicants to certify the accuracy of the proposal and to confirm that the organization complies with the policies stated on this web site.

Policy on Reviews of Accuracy/Compliance

All applicants are subject to reviews of their representations in their grant applications, their compliance with the policies stated above, and, if applicable, their adherence to the terms of the grant contract. If such a review reveals significant inaccuracies or violations of the policies stated above, or if an organization does not cooperate with the review, the organization may be required to return any granted assets and forfeit future funding eligibility.