Silicon Valley Impact Grants

Silicon Valley Impact Grants fund best-in-class organizations and programs working in the following two investment areas listed below -- a locally-focused subset of our program-wide investment areas. Highest priority for consideration is given to those that clearly articulate the planned impact of their effort; provide metrics by which that impact will be measured; operate programs that are sustainable; and use internet technology as part of the program implementation.

Access to Education

Cisco views education as a top priority in our social investments. We fund programs that target an underserved community. Priority is given to programs that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and collaboration; use technology to replicate programs for teaching and learning practices; and offer on-line resources to teachers/students. Please note that public schools, private schools, charter schools, school districts, school foundations and parent/booster clubs are not eligible.

Examples of the type of organizations and approaches we seek to fund in this category include:

• K-12 Enrichment Programs that target underserved students and demonstrate innovative, sustainable and collaborative 21st century educational teaching and learning practices. Programs should enrich existing core curriculum and offer collaboration with teachers to insure that the program leverages California State curricular standards set for schools and can track student progress/achievements via metrics.
• Adult Vocational Programs that demonstrate benefit to underserved adults through technical training or other clearly defined work re-entry skills development. Priority to programs that are sustainable, track re-entry/ job retention and place majority of clients within the business community geographically defined as within a 50 mile radius of Cisco's San Jose Headquarters.
• Arts in Education Programs that are implemented at the school site and directly integrate into K-12 educational enrichment as defined above in Access to Education, K-12 section.

Health

The Silicon Valley Impact Grant program also supports health-related programs that benefit underserved populations and address the following:

• Improve access to, and quality of, local health care and client services.
• Train health care workers.
• Focus on children's health services and/or health education.

Priority is given to programs that can be replicated through use of technology and offer online resources for clients and/or healthcare workers.